Colorado Task Force 1 stays in Texas, continuing help in search efforts
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Colorado Task Force 1 (CO-TF1) has completed a large-scale search and rescue mission in Texas, following catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River.
According to updates posted by the task force on Facebook and X, the Colorado-based team and its partners finished both primary and secondary searches in their assigned area between the towns of Center Point and Comfort on Monday, July 21.
In total, CO-TF1 covered more than 10 square miles and 24 shoreline miles along the Guadalupe River and its tributaries. The team says it completed nearly 900 targeted search points, using a combination of hand crews and heavy equipment.
The task force also deployed a specialized sonar device called AquaEye® to search three underwater areas that couldn’t be safely accessed by other means. CO-TF1 says the technology was effective enough that the team has now been requested to assist additional divisions using the same equipment.
Throughout the deployment, team members have been staying at Schreiner University in Kerrville, where staff have been providing two meals a day and shelter. One university cook, who lost his own home in the flood, has continued reporting to work each day to serve responders, according to the task force.
CO-TF1 says the team’s work has helped bring closure to some flood survivors, either by confirming that their properties were safe or by locating loved ones.
Due to ongoing needs in the area, CO-TF1 has been reassigned to a new division starting Tuesday. It's not yet clear how long the deployment will continue, but the task force says it stands with the people of Texas during this time of loss.
The deployment includes personnel from multiple agencies across Colorado. CO-TF1 is one of 28 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces nationwide and is coordinated through West Metro Fire Rescue.
CO-TF1's first day of assistance was on July 9, with an additional team joining on July 14, making a total of 81 members and five canies, according to social media updates provided.
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