Local search and rescue team returns from Texas flood mission

Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8, which includes members from Marion County and Gainesville, has completed a more than two-week search and rescue mission aiding flood victims in Texas and is now headed home, according to a Marion County Fire Rescue Facebook post.

“From Kerr County to Cow Creek in Travis County, TF-8 conducted vital search and rescue operations — including hasty and grid searches along swollen rivers and creeks. One of our members even supported air reconnaissance missions by helicopter,” the MCFR post stated.

“When flash flood warnings shifted the mission, the team redeployed to Lampasas as a swift water quick reaction force, prepared to respond in moments.
Throughout the deployment, (TF-8) remained ready, flexible, and focused — embodying the spirit of service and dedication,” according to the post.

A previous MCFR Facebook post stated that members of the “highly trained” rescue team deployed on July 7 to assist flood victims. The team included Marion County Fire Rescue Driver Engineer Steve Debigare; Division Chief Chris Whitler; Battalion Chief Frank York; Driver Engineer Jon Ingram; and Ocala Fire Rescue Fire Equipment Operator/Paramedic Jagger Maguire.

The floods, which began around July 4, caused widespread devastation across parts of Texas.

In a July 14 article, The Texas Tribune quoted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as saying 135 people had perished statewide in the floods.

As of July 22, the number of missing persons had dropped to three, according to the Kerr County website (kerrcountytx.gov).

“We are profoundly grateful to the more than 1,000 local, state and federal authorities who have worked tirelessly in the wake of the devastating flood that struck our community,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said. “Thanks to their extraordinary efforts, the number of individuals previously listed as missing has dropped from over 160 to three,” the website states.

An article in The Floridian Press noted Abbott’s public thanks to Florida for its assistance.

“Thank you, Florida, for your support in the aftermath of these devastating floods,” Abbott said. “@GovRonDeSantis quickly deployed swift water rescue teams and K-9 units to aid Texans in our response and recovery efforts. Thank you, Governor, for having our backs,” the article states.