Texas has deployed additional support to Louisiana as the state continues recovery efforts from the massive Hurricane Ida that hit the area.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Sept. 1 that the Texas Military Department (TMD) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) have deployed additional resources and personnel to support Hurricane Ida response and recovery efforts, according to a press release.
This was at the request of the State of Louisiana through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), according to the press release.
Resources sent to the area include 116 guardsmen including a Battalion Tactical Command, one headquarters company, four ground transportation platoons, one general support platoon and one engineering platoon along with 25 high-water vehicles, seven humvees, one fuel truck, one wrecker, two track loaders and five fire suppression water tenders with 20 firefighters through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service, according to a press release.
“Texas remembers the generous support offered by Louisianans during Hurricane Harvey four years ago, and we have recognized their need for additional help as they recover from the destruction of Hurricane Ida earlier this week,” Abbott said in a press release. “We will continue to help our neighbors in need, just as they did for us.”
Additionally, Abbott issued a proclamation recognizing September as “Preparedness Month” in Texas, encouraging people to be mindful of natural and manmade disasters and do their part to prepare.
Labeled as one of the biggest storms to hit Louisiana since 1850 by Gov. John Bel Edwards, Ida made landfall along its southeastern coastline at Category 4 strength around noon on Aug. 29, which was also the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall, according to a CBS News article.
President Joe Biden has pledged federal aid to the storm-stricken Pelican state, according to ABC News.
