Texas is in the middle of a flooding disaster that meteorologists say could break records. Rivers across the Hill Country and San Antonio area, including the Guadalupe, Medina, Nueces, and Frio, have surged after days of relentless rain. People have already had to be pulled from cars, trees, and rooftops with more rain in the forecast.
JFRD is sending members of its Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR), Florida Task Force 5, to help. The team is deploying under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which lets states send resources to help each other in a disaster. These seven firefighters make up a specialized Type 3 swiftwater rescue team trained to go into fast-moving water and bring people, their pets, and animals to safety. The deployment is expected to last seven days.
They will search for people trapped by floodwater, pull them out, provide emergency medical care if needed, and get them somewhere safe. This team is self-sustaining, bringing their own boats, food, water, fuel, and gear so they can work for days without needing outside support.
"Our team trains for high-consequence, low-frequency events like this year-round so we're ready to help neighbors in need, while still fully serving Jacksonville residents,” said Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II. “I'm proud of each individual deploying. They stepped up without hesitation and will represent JFRD well."
JFRD will share updates as the team arrives and begins operations in Texas.
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Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Deploys Swiftwater Team to Assist with Texas Flooding
July 17, 2026
Seven Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) firefighters packed up their gear and loaded boats last night, headed for San Antonio, Texas, where floodwater is rising fast, and families are in danger.