Update: Coast Guard continues search and rescue operations

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 08/28/2017 12:32 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

 News Release  

August 28, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Office: (281) 464-4810
After Hours: (832) 293-1293

Update: Coast Guard continues search and rescue operations

Coast Guard Air Station Houston responds to search and rescue requests after Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, Aug. 27, 2017. The Coast Guard is working closely with all local and state emergency operation centers and has established incident command posts to manage Coast Guard storm operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Johanna Strickland. Coast Guard Air Station Houston responds to search and rescue requests after Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, Aug. 27, 2017. The Coast Guard is working closely with all local and state emergency operation centers and has established incident command posts to manage Coast Guard storm operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Johanna Strickland. Coast Guard aircrews prepare their aircraft to provide support at Coast Guard Air Station Houston, August 27, 2017. Coast Guard assets from around the country are providing support in response to Hurricane Harvey. (U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Giles)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

HOUSTON —  U.S. Coast Guard continues to conduct urban search and rescue in the greater Houston area.

Coast Guard aircrews conducted two medical transfers of two critical patients from local hospitals to Memorial Herman Hospital medical center Sunday night.

“Our crews have been operating non-stop,” said Capt. Kevin Oditt, Coast Guard Incident Commander. “This is an all hands on deck event bringing crews from all over the nation to help with our response.”

Currently, there are 20 Coast Guard helicopters and nine Coast Guard Flood Punt Teams, with 21 shallow-draft vessels, capable of operating in flooded urban areas, conducting rescues in the greater in Houston area. 

Coast Guard aircrews have rescued approximately 300 people in distress and Flood Punt Teams have rescued approximately 1200 people in distress.

Coast Guard continues to urge Texas residents to:

·      Don’t go into the attic because rescuers from the air cannot see you

·      Mark the roof to be seen from the air

·      Wave your sheets and towels to be noticed.

“This is still dangerous and life threatening event,” said Oditt. “Heed all local emergency safety messages and continue to monitor weather conditions in your area.”

If you are in a flooding situation, stay calm, do not panic and get to high ground immediately.

Do not call for rescue if you are not in a life-threatening situation. Rescue teams are prioritizing rescues by urgency. We are not able to facilitate requests for assistance on social media.

If you, your friends, or family need emergency assistance, call and provide your location, zip code, street name and number of people in need of assistance to 911 first, your local county emergency operation center and then Coast Guard Houston-Galveston command center at:

281-464-4851
281-464-4852
281-464-4853
281-464-4854
281-464-4855

For those who want to volunteer, please call Harris County voluntary hotline at 713-881-3100.  

For the most up-to-date weather information, visit www.weather.gov. 

For imagery and video of Hurricane Harvey response, please visit https://goo.gl/4JKLaf.

For frequent updates, please visit Twitter and Facebook at https://twitter.com/USCGHeartland and https://www.facebook.com/uscgheartland/. 

 

 

 

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