COLLEGE STATION, Texas — As requested by FEMA, Governor Abbott approved the mobilization of 10 Texas A&M Task Force 1 personnel to Western Kentucky on Saturday.
On Friday night, multiple tornadoes rolled through the state of Kentucky, taking the lives of many and leaving widespread damage. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is 'certain' that more than 70 people lost their lives due to the storm.
In an attempt to help Western Kentucky in its recovery, Governor Abbott deployed Task Force 1 to assist in the search and rescue of Kentuckians.
"The State of Texas stands ready to assist our friends in Kentucky as they continue their response and recovery efforts in the wake of deadly tornadoes that shook the western portion of their state overnight," said Governor Abbott in a press release.
Texas A&M Task Force 1 is a team under FEMA's National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) System and also functions statewide as a search and rescue team under the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).
The task force has assisted the state of Texas and the nation by participating in over 100 deployments due to national disasters and even terror attacks.
"Thank you to the members of Texas A&M Task Force 1 who are making their way to Western Kentucky to help those in need. I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for those affected by these horrific tornadoes," said Governor Abbott.