OKLAHOMA CITY (June 16, 2026) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) announced that Oklahoma is sending two Type III swift water rescue teams to Texas to assist with ongoing flood response.
The teams include 12 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 Bryan, TX and are expected to be deployed for up to nine days depending on the duration and severity of the flood conditions.
"Oklahoma will answer the call to help our friends and neighbors during dangerous floods. That's the Oklahoma Standard, plain and simple," said Governor Stitt. "A huge thanks to our elite Task Force 1 responders for their willingness to step up and help our neighbors once again."
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, and New Mexico.
“Oklahoma personnel are well-trained and ready to assist the State of Texas through this deployment. The EMAC system ensures that experienced personnel are available to support flood response efforts where they’re most needed,” said OEM Executive Director Annie Mack Vest.
She added that the State Emergency Operations Center remains activated and is continuing to coordinate with in-state emergency response partners in case of additional flooding in eastern Oklahoma.
Governor Stitt signed a State of Emergency for flooding and severe weather on June 7. The executive order covers Cherokee, Creek, Kay, Okfuskee, Ottawa, and Tulsa counties.
OEM and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol have been coordinating with city and county emergency management over the weekend to assist with flood response that occurred around the Neosho River, Illinois River, and other areas. OEM notes that there are two remaining Oklahoma Task Force 1 Type III teams along with numerous additional technical rescue teams that are available to respond to flooding in Oklahoma if needed.
OEM continues to monitor additional requests from the affected areas. Further support may be deployed if needed.
Governor Stitt signed HB 4043 into law on April 23. 2026, allocating $1 million to Task Force 1 for operational costs and equipment upgrades.
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