Rescue, recovery and restoration of Texas coastal communities ravaged by Hurricane Harvey obtained a boost from over 13,000 troops, Defense Department (DoD) civilians and others assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) effort to help storm victims.
Those assisting included 1,638 active duty personnel, 1,254 DoD staffers and contractors and 11,000 National Guardsmen, the DoD said in a postingon the Army's website.
While lifesaving efforts remain top priority, responders are also undertaking recovery efforts as the flooding ebbs. Officials said over 2,000 individuals have been rescued thus far by active duty troops using 100 special high-water vehicles, 87 helicopters, four C-130 Hercules aircraft and eight para-rescue crews, the posting said.
The Coast Guard provided an additional 46 helicopters and 10 fixed-wing aircraft, as well as boats for search and rescue.
Food, water, medical provisions and additional support are being dispensed by various government sources, including the Defense Logistics Agency, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and the Army Corps of Engineers, the posting said.
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