Oklahoma Task Force 1, Baptist Disaster Relief aids Texas flood response

As floodwaters impact central Texas, Oklahoma-based Task Force 1 aids in water rescues, while Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief readies to help homeowners begin recovery.

Tuesday, July 8th 2025, 5:13 am

By: Jayden Brannon

HAMILTON, Texas -

As floodwaters continue to impact parts of central Texas, Oklahoma crews are stepping up to provide both emergency rescue and long-term recovery support.

Task Force 1 remains focused on swift-water rescues, while Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams are preparing to help homeowners begin cleanup.

Task Force 1 stays on rescue duty

Oklahoma Task Force 1 remains deployed in Hamilton, Texas, where crews have been assisting in swift water rescues throughout the region. Though they haven’t been called into recovery operations yet, officials say that transition could happen soon as conditions improve.

Two Human Remains Detection K-9s—Truman and Seven—were deployed on July 7 to assist with search operations in another part of Texas. The dogs, trained at Ground Zero Emergency Training Center in Oklahoma, are part of three K-9 teams now working in the state.

Baptist teams prepare for home cleanups

On July 8, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief will send in volunteer crews to help Texas families begin cleaning out flood-damaged homes.

Jason Yarbrough, a representative of the organization, said the goal is to help families take the first steps toward recovery.

“Basically what we're trying to do is help them get back into their home,” Yarbrough said. “We remove all the stuff that hinders that so that they can then come back in and repair and get back into their homes as quickly as possible.”

Why Oklahoma is helping

Yarbrough and other leaders say this kind of cross-state support is essential during disasters — especially since Oklahomans have been on the receiving end of similar help in the past.

“We're proud to serve,” he said. “It’s part of what we do — because we’ve needed it, too.”

What’s next in the response?

Task Force 1 expects to remain in Texas for up to two weeks, depending on how the situation evolves. As floodwaters begin to recede, more recovery crews will likely be activated, shifting the focus from rescues to rebuilding.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief says it plans to send one team per week in the coming weeks and stay as long as needed.

Stay with News On 6 for updates as the mission develops.