WASHINGTON: U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft from Tucson are now in Texas, along with 12 aircrew members, five support personnel and three BORSTAR agents certified in swift-water rescues, to help with Hurricane Harvey rescue efforts.
CBP’s Air and Marine Operations sent four UH-60, hoist-capable, Blackhawks from Tucson to Houston on Friday and Saturday to help with rescues. At approximately 12:30 p.m. Monday, AMO’s aircrew members conducted a hoist-rescue of four individuals trapped in their home by floodwaters. In addition, Tucson Sector Border Patrol will send 50 Special Operations Detachment agents Tuesday to support public safety operations. Harvey is the fiercest hurricane to hit the U.S. in 13 years and the strongest to strike Texas since 1961’s Hurricane Carla, the most powerful Texas hurricane on record. More than 30 inches of rain have fallen on parts of the Houston area since Thursday, the National Weather Service reported on Monday.
