Uvalde, Texas - Border Patrol agents along with personnel from Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO), Texas Department of Public Safety(DPS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, local law enforcement agencies, as well as several private citizens combined their efforts to save 27 individuals from flash flooding here, Sunday.
“Del Rio Sector agents are trained, equipped, and ready to respond in times of natural emergencies,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez. “Joint efforts between our local, state, federal partners enable us to respond quickly to conduct search and rescue operations and save lives.”
On the morning of August 12, Uvalde Border Patrol Station received a call for assistance from the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office stating that multiple people and vehicles were swept away by floodwaters near Chalk Bluff River Resort northwest of Uvalde. An AMO helicopter arrived to find people stranded on treetops and vehicles. For over five hours, DPS and AMO helicopters hoisted people from the Nueces River and air-lifted them to safety. Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents responded with a rescue boat and with the assistance from Uvalde Station agents recovered additional people, including a pregnant woman and several small children. At least two privately owned and operated helicopters were on scene assisting with the rescue operation.
Everyone who was pulled from the water was transported to the Uvalde Civic Center where a command center had been set up.
“The contributions of all first responders and good samaritans that risked their own safety to help others is commendable,” continued Del Rio Sector Chief Felix Chavez. “I am immensely proud of the hard work that brought about a successful conclusion to a volatile situation that potentially could have ended in tragedy.”
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.
