Texas Guard prepares for season's first hurricane

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
  • National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  About 2,500 members of the Texas National Guard are on standby in anticipation of Tropical Storm Alex, which is expected to become a hurricane and hit the lower Texas coast late July 1 or early July 2.

The deployment of troops and the locations where they will go depends on future weather predictions and where landfall occurs, Texas National Guard officials said.

Texas Guard officials may employ eight UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and crews and three C-130 Hercules aircraft and crews that can assist with air evacuations if needed.

Additionally, officials said, Guard members have vehicles capable of crossing high-water areas.

The Guard members would be working in support of local and state authorities, and in addition to providing evacuation capabilities, they can also bring medical officials, communications equipment and security teams, if those assets are needed.

"We continue to closely monitor this storm, and are preparing accordingly for its potential impact to our communities," Texas Gov. Rick Perry said on his website June 30. "Tropical Storm Alex is now in the Gulf, and it is imperative that residents pay attention to this storm, heed warnings from their local leaders and take the steps necessary to protect their families, homes and businesses."