The Office of the Governor of the State of Oklahoma
07/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/14/2026 22:13
Governor Stitt Authorizes Oklahoma Task Force 1 Deployment to Texas Flooding
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 14, 2026) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) announced that Oklahoma is sending four Type III swift water rescue teams to Texas to assist with ongoing flood response. The teams include 24 Oklahoma Task Force 1 members from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas, along with boats, trailers, and equipment. They are deploying Tuesday in response to a request from the Texas Division of Emergency Management through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
The teams will be staged in San Antonio, TX and are expected to be deployed for up to seven days depending on the duration and severity of the flood conditions.
"I am so proud to have Oklahoma Task Force 1 representing our state and assisting our neighbors," said Governor Stitt. "They are the embodiment of the Oklahoma Standard, and I am grateful for their service. As Texas deals with dangerous flooding, I am authorizing Task Force 1 to deploy to assist."
EMAC is a national mutual aid system that allows states to send personnel, equipment and commodities to help disaster relief efforts in other states. The state-to-state system was developed after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and was established in 1996. In recent years, Oklahoma has sent state and local personnel to support EMAC requests in California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Texas.
"Mutual aid is one of the strongest tools available during disasters," said OEM Executive Director Annie Mack Vest. "EMAC allows states to share trained personnel when they're needed most. We're thankful for the Oklahoma personnel deploying to support Texas and the strong partnerships that make this assistance possible."
OEM continues to monitor additional requests from the affected areas. Further support may be deployed if needed.
The teams will be staged in San Antonio, TX and are expected to be deployed for up to seven days depending on the duration and severity of the flood conditions.
"I am so proud to have Oklahoma Task Force 1 representing our state and assisting our neighbors," said Governor Stitt. "They are the embodiment of the Oklahoma Standard, and I am grateful for their service. As Texas deals with dangerous flooding, I am authorizing Task Force 1 to deploy to assist."
EMAC is a national mutual aid system that allows states to send personnel, equipment and commodities to help disaster relief efforts in other states. The state-to-state system was developed after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and was established in 1996. In recent years, Oklahoma has sent state and local personnel to support EMAC requests in California, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Texas.
"Mutual aid is one of the strongest tools available during disasters," said OEM Executive Director Annie Mack Vest. "EMAC allows states to share trained personnel when they're needed most. We're thankful for the Oklahoma personnel deploying to support Texas and the strong partnerships that make this assistance possible."
OEM continues to monitor additional requests from the affected areas. Further support may be deployed if needed.
The Office of the Governor of the State of Oklahoma published this content on July 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 15, 2026 at 04:13 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]