Oklahoma Task Force 1 teams remain in Texas for flood response

Oklahoma Task Force 1 continues to support flood response efforts in Texas as communities along the Guadalupe River deal with widespread devastation caused by rising water and ongoing storms.

Captain Matt Bell with the Tulsa Fire Department, who is also the coordinator for OK-TF1, said the deployment has included a mix of rescue and recovery operations, depending on the day’s conditions. He said fluctuating weather and renewed rainfall have forced the team to return to areas they had already cleared, often shifting rapidly between active rescues and recovery work.

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The Tulsa-based unit has two teams currently deployed, including three specialized recovery K-9s. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City component has deployed two swift-water rescue teams and recently dispatched an Incident Management Team to support coordination efforts.

While both units are operating in the same general region, they are positioned on opposite sides of the Guadalupe River and are not housed or working together directly.

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Tulsa Fire Public Information Officer Andrew Little said there haven’t been many updates because the teams are focused on the mission. He said OK-TF1 is doing everything it can to help the affected communities.

Operations are being evaluated on a day-by-day basis, with no current end date set for the mission. Bell said the task force is prepared to remain in Texas as long as needed.

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