Update Provided on NE-TF1 Search Efforts in Central Texas

LINCOLN, NE - In collaboration with Nebraska Task Force One (NE-TF1) and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Governor Jim Pillen is providing an update on ongoing search efforts in central Texas. Gov. Pillen authorized the activation of NE-TF1 this week, to assist with those efforts in the aftermath of catastrophic flash flooding that occurred in Texas’ Hill Country region on July 4. 

Team members left Lincoln on the afternoon of July 7. They arrived in San Antonio the following morning. From there they traveled to Kerr County, which is where they have been since yesterday (Wednesday) morning. In that area, they have worked alongside local response teams, the Texas Emergency Management Agency and other state search and rescue groups from Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Virginia.

Before leaving their base of operations, NE-TF1 has been attending morning briefings with other teams, before starting their day-long search efforts. Members of NE-TF1 have been split into two divisions to help maximize coverage capabilities.

Team members in Texas have indicated that the terrain is very difficult to navigate due to mud, water and debris. The 45 members of NE-TF1, including two canine teams, are slated to be in Texas for two weeks.

Nebraska Task Force One is one of 28 US&R groups in the national disaster response system. Normally, those groups are deployed and managed under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This situation is unique in that the deployment was directed under the authority of Gov. Pillen through the Nebraska Emergency Management Act.