RICHMOND VA (Rocktown Now) — Governor Glenn Youngkin announces the deployment of Virginia Swift Water Rescue teams to support the Texas flood response. 

Two type III teams from Bristol and Virginia Beach will join local responders in Texas flood zones to bolster recovery efforts. 

The teams will deploy today, July 7, to provide crucial water rescue operations and support local responders. 

“Our hearts go out to the families and communities in Texas who have been devastated by these historic floods,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Texas, and we are committed to offering any and all support requested during this critical time.” 

The teams have specialized equipment and technical rescue gear necessary to navigate treacherous floodwaters. They will work closely with local and state agencies to help search in the impacted areas. This deployment is at the request of the Texas Division of Emergency Management through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). EMAC is a mutual aid system that allows states to provide help and resources to each other during emergencies and disasters. 

Additional information on the EMAC process can be found here.