Florida is sending over much-needed help to Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which dumped dozens of inches of rainfall and left a trail of devastation after making landfall this weekend.
Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday he would be deploying additional Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and resources to Houston this week as the city grapples with one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in its history.
Thirty-seven FWC officers and 21 boats were en route to Houston to support ongoing response efforts as of Monday morning with more than 60 officers and nearly 20 boats ready to deploy.
Earlier this weekend, Florida sent 25 FWC officers, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, eight shallow draft vessels and four patrol boats to Houston to assist with disaster relief efforts.
“Hurricane Harvey was the largest storm to impact Texas in more than fifty years and it is crucial that we continue to work together to help our fellow Gulf Coast state during their time of need,” said Scott Monday. “I was glad to speak with Governor Abbott this morning to let him know Florida is sending more resources and we stand ready to offer Texas our continued support. We will keep Texas families in our thoughts and prayers.”
The FWC officers, Scott’s office said, will assist with ongoing search and rescue and disaster response work as the state tries to recover from the intense storm.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Texas as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 156 miles per hour with 13-foot ocean surges.
The city of Houston was particularly hard hit by Harvey, which flooded streets and displaced thousands from their homes over the weekend.
Harvey later weakened into a tropical storm, but the rain is projected to continue to fall as the week goes on, intensifying flood effects.
Harvey has accounted for at least eight deaths so far and the number is expected to rise.
President Donald Trump declared Harvey a “national disaster” to make federal funds immediately available to Texas and other regions affected by the storm.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the flooding situation was expected to intensify.
"It is bad and growing worse," he said on FOX News Sunday. "We've got a big task on our hands for the next several days, if not a week.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
