As Tropical Storm Harvey batters Texas with record flooding and damage that may require years of recovery, New Yorkers are looking to help.
In an announcement made on Sunday, Mayor de Blasio said 120 emergency personnel would be sent to Texas to provide aid of which the area is desperately in need as the storm continues.
The group headed down to the state the same day and consisted of members of the FDNY’s Incident Management Team as well as the Urban Search and Rescue Rapid Response Team. According to the mayor, these emergency workers will give assistance to Texas authorities.
The FDNY’s Incident Management Team and our Urban Search and Rescue Rapid Response Team will assist authorities on the ground.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 27, 2017
Harvey touched down on Friday as a Category 4 hurricane, later morphing into a tropical storm. Although it has only been on land for a short time, it has already racked up years of damage as FEMA prepares for long-term recovery.
However, New Yorkers remain no stranger to the reality of the damage, having suffered Hurricane Sandy nearly five years ago that left damage from which the city is still trying to recover. Now, de Blasio says New York must respond to Harvey.
After Superstorm Sandy, so many cities stepped up to help our people. We’ll do all we can to help those affected by this storm. https://t.co/Op22jkEpqY
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 27, 2017
The deployed aid team will be based in San Antonio and includes members with experience dealing with Hurricane Katrina and Haiti’s 2010 earthquake.
In a statement released on Sunday, the FDNY said they’re prepared. “Our role in Texas is to provide medical care, to take care of civilians and the task force members,” they said. “We’re in the disaster zone. We’re expecting torrential rains, winds, floods, and chaotic conditions. We’re ready for it.”
