Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday that Alabama deployed four Type III swift-water search-and-rescue teams to Texas as the state faces severe flooding.
“Alabamians always stand ready to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need. I pray for Texans who are once again dealing with raging floodwaters,” Ivey said in a statement. “I thank our fellow Alabamians serving on the search-and-rescue teams and offer my prayers for a successful mission and safe return home.”
The teams include groups from Mobile, Lauderdale, Cullman, Marshall, DeKalb, Jefferson, Shelby and Chilton counties, according to Ivey’s office. Each team has eight members and multiple boats. The teams are trained and equipped to conduct search, rescue and recovery operations in active flood zones.
The flooding is affecting the Texas Hill Country, where severe flash floods killed 139 people last year. The victims included 28 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic.
Intense, sudden rainfall caused this year’s flooding, which has killed at least two people.
“Just as Alabama stepped up to help during the devastating Camp Mystic flooding last year, our state is once again committing people and resources to assist Texas in this time of need,” Ivey said.
After last year’s deadly flooding, Ivey signed several bills during the 2026 Legislative Session to better prepare Alabama for a similar natural disaster. The laws established a new notification system to alert Alabamians to flash floods, enacted the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act and created a dam safety program to reduce the risk of dam-related flooding.
Ivey and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency are “closely monitoring conditions and coordinating state resources” as Texas responds to the flooding, according to the governor’s office.
