An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 28, 2015

Guard troops in Texas and Oklahoma assisting following massive floods

By Capt. Martha Nigrelle Texas National Guard

GRANBURY, Texas - A team of Texas National Guard engineers rescued three people from flooding waters Tuesday in Granbury,Texas.

Working with local and state first responders,Texas Guard members spent the Memorial Day weekend responding to many such calls for help all over Texas as heavy rain pounded the region.

On Thursday, even as more rain is predicted, searchers continue hunting for survivors and victims of the raging water.

"We got a call around midnight from the local sheriff's department," said 1st Lt. Max Perez, 236th Engineer Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, Texas Army National Guard. "They asked us to check a neighborhood near the Brazos River for flooded homes and anyone in need."

Perez took his team of engineers and split into two groups to better search the neighborhood for citizens in need.

"The Soldiers responded very quickly; they only took 10 or 15 minutes to get ready to go," said Perez. "They were pretty motivated about the mission - eager to save lives."

With the help of a police officer and a firefighter, the engineers combed through the neighborhood checking on residents.

"We found a stranded car that couldn't move," said Perez. "There was water up to the window of the car."

The engineers immediately stopped and got out to help; each Soldier securing themselves to a safety line attached to their military vehicle or another stationary object first.

"We saw a family - a woman, her daughter, about 3 or 4, and a man, stuck in the car," said Perez.

Staff Sgt. Thomas Kennington, 111th Forward Support Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, along with several other Soldiers, pulled the little girl and her mother from the car and brought them to safety, then returned for the man. Once all three people were safe, the team pulled the vehicle to dry land, to ensure that it wouldn't wash away, said Perez.

"This is the first time I've ever done anything like this," said Kennington. "When you're in that moment with lights flashing, water rushing and Soldiers around you whose safety you are concerned for - it's an adrenaline flow."

The engineers were grateful to have been able to help their fellow citizens in need that day.

"The little girl thanked me over and over for saving her and her mama," said Kennington. "That's what this is all about."

Perez said he was just thankful to have been asked to help and that he was proud of his Soldiers.

"They showed me the reason why they put on the uniform that night," said Perez. "Their bravery and dedication was amazing."

Texas Guard members rescued more than 100 Texans in need during flooding across the state, mid-late May 2015. Figures from the National Guard Bureau indicate that about 240 personnel are on duty in Texas during this emergency. In Oklahoma, about 10 Guard personnel were on duty during that state's flooding emergency. Guard units in both states conducted helicopter rescues and in Oklahoma, a chopper crew provided feed to stranded cattle.

 

 

Related Articles
The 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company conducts training exercise, Operation Golden Corridor in Dahlonega, Georgia, August 15, 2025. Throughout the duration of the exercise, Soldiers simulated peer and near-peer electromagnetic warfare scenarios and enhance unit proficiency in spectrum mapping, RF detection, and alternative radar awareness capabilities under austere conditions.
Georgia Guard Company Leads in Electromagnetic Warfare Modernization
By | Aug. 27, 2025
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard’s 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company, based in Forest Park, Georgia, is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the Army’s modernization efforts within the...

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy Shooting Match, August 21, 2025, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The history of the Logan Duffy Rifle Match goes back nearly 90 years to the first match, which was held in 1936.
Massachusetts, New York Guard Members Compete in Historic Logan-Duffy Rifle Competition
By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton,   | Aug. 27, 2025
DEVENS, Mass. – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, and the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participated in the annual Logan-Duffy...

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron a real-world rescue operation at Point MacKenzie, Alaska, Sept. 1, 2022. After a Christen A-1 Husky crashed into a marsh, National Guardsmen rappelled and conducted a rescue operation, ensuring the aircraft was safely vacated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)
Alaska Air Guard Rescues Individual With Facial Laceration Near Knik Glacier
By Alejandro Pena, | Aug. 27, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued an individual with a facial laceration Aug. 25, about 40 miles northeast of Anchorage in the vicinity of Knik Glacier.The...