WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed more than 900 rescue workers on the ground in the state of Texas to provide assistance to victims of catastrophic flooding, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on Monday.
"As of last night, FEMA had more than 900 Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) personnel working to save lives in south Texas," the statement said.
FEMA was also sending vital supplies to Incident Support Bases near impacted areas in Texas and Louisiana, including more than 1 million liters of water, 1 million meals, 20,520 tarps and 70 generators.
The National Guard Bureau activated 3,000 service members, and has over 1,000 personnel already in the region to assist in search and rescue and recovery missions, the statement said. The National Guard forces were working closely with the Texas and Louisiana National Guard to provide assistance to people on the ground.
The National Emergency Medical services activated 100 ambulances and 15 air ambulances for advanced and basic life support.
The Mobile Emergency Response Support deployed 65 personnel and ten mobile communication office vehicles to support Texas and Louisiana's emergency response communication needs.
FEMA also had more than 1,800 employees on the ground to support the response, alongside 341 Department of Homeland Security employees.
The American Red Cross was also mobilizing a massive relief effort to provide shelter and food to victims of the hurricane. More than 1,800 people took refuge in 34 Red Cross and community shelters in Texas.
Multiple other federal agencies — including the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency, US Northern Command, US Department of Energy, US Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Communications Commission, US Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Interior, National Park Service and US Department of Transportation — were also assisting Texas and Louisiana in the response effort.
The US Gulf Coast has suffered devastating flooding since Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Saturday. The hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm, but the National Weather Service warned on Monday that catastrophic flooding would worsen in the coming days and would be slow to recede after Harvey passes.
