WESLACO, Texas (AFPN) - An approximately 500-member-strong joint task force is ready and waiting to help civil authorities save lives and support any evacuations for the Category 2 Hurricane Dolly hitting southern Texas July 23.
Texas military forces -- a team made up of Texas Army and Air National Guard units -- have set up troop staging areas in Austin, Houston and San Antonio.
Servicemembers are in place and on standby awaiting the eye of Hurricane Dolly to pass through the Rio Grande Valley area, as of noon CDT July 23.
"Our primary goal is to preserve order and assist citizens here in south Texas as we prepare for the landfall of Hurricane Dolly," said Army Lt. Col. Anthony Woods, the operations officer of Joint Standing Interagency Task Force located at the Army National Guard Weslaco Armory. "After the hurricane makes landfall, we intend to preserve order and continuity of operations with the government in south Texas."
While Hurricane Dolly musters winds of up 95 mph, an even greater concern for citizens is flooding for the expected six to 10 inches of rain that will hit the already saturated coast. Some areas along the Texas coast and inland could get doused with up to 15 inches of rain.
"We want to be proactive and make sure that we have life preserving pieces in place beforehand," Colonel Woods said. "It's easier to change a plan than it is to create one, so our goal is to make sure those pieces are in place. If the citizens in Texas need assistance, we are here."
Coincidentally, Texas military forces were setting up for an annual exercise as Hurricane Dolly became a factor in the area. As of July 22, it was determined Operation Lone Star -- a joint medical services operation between the Department of State Health Services and Texas military forces -- would be loaned out to support the hurricane effort.
"It's good timing that a lot of personnel, logistics and equipment were planned and moving toward the Rio Grande Valley in support of the recurring joint exercise," said Col. Joel Henness, the Operation Lone Star commander with the 147th Reconnaissance Wing from Houston. "Close to 250 military and an equal number of civilian volunteers from the local community are ready to help out wherever necessary.
"Operation Lone Star is an amazing event that gives much needed care to a population that desperately needs it," Colonel Henness said. "We provide free medical services to the local population, and in turn, military members get valuable, realistic medical training. Hurricane or no hurricane, we are here to take care of the people."
The Texas military forces plans were developed from the lessons learned of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now, all of the key elements of assistance are in place from communications, air and ground transportation, medical care, supply distribution, shelters in place and other necessities.