Members of the El Paso Fire Department Water Rescue Team are assisting in the statewide response taking part in search and rescue operations amid the historic flooding in central Texas.
EPFD Water Rescue Team members, as part of Texas Task Force 1, helped use a boat to rescue two people clinging to a tree in the darkness amid raging floodwaters in Marble Falls, according to a video posted on the EPFD Facebook page on Sunday, July 6. Marble Falls is along the Colorado River northwest of Austin.
Relentless rains triggered widespread flash flooding that has killed at least 70 people over the Fourth of July weekend in stretches of Texas from Travis County in the Austin area, Kerrville and other towns in the Texas Hill Country and some parts of West Texas, including San Angelo, where a record-setting 14 inches of rain fell early on July 4.
The El Paso team has “been working tirelessly alongside numerous other rescue agencies,” the Fire Department stated, adding, ” …. Our hearts go out to all of the communities in Central Texas affected by this devastating flooding. We are honored to support the response efforts and hope to make a meaningful impact.”
El Paso leaders offer support, prayers after Texas flooding
El Paso elected leaders expressed support for their fellow Texans amid the destruction caused by overflowing rivers and flood waters and the loss of lives.
“I can’t begin to imagine the devastation the survivors and their families are going through. Praying for all of them,” U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, posted on X, formerly Twitter.
State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, encouraged people to donate to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
“Tragedy isn’t partisan, & neither is helping our fellow Texans,” Moody stated on X. State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, “and I are giving to help families affected by this disaster, & we’re asking others to do the same. There are hurts that money can’t fix, but this is one part of easing what burdens we can. #txlege”
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Fire Department assists in Texas flood. El Paso leaders offer support, prayers
Reporting by Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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