Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents have rescued a total of 1,505 people and 177 pets to date in Texas and Louisiana from flooded waters caused by Hurricane Harvey.
LDWF agents working in coordination with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division have rescued 1,477 people and 175 pets rescued in Texas. LDWF agents have also rescued 28 people and two pets in Louisiana.
LDWF sent 40 agents with 40 trucks and 40 vessels to the Houston and Katy areas on Aug. 26 and 27. From Aug. 26 to Aug. 30, LDWF agents were able to rescue 1,275 people and 128 pets with LDWF vessels in the Houston and Katy areas in Texas.
On Aug. 30, LDWF redirected 38 of the original 40 agents with trucks and vessels to the Kirbyville and Deweyville areas in Texas. LDWF also deployed an additional 33 agents with 29 trucks and 29 vessels to assist with search and rescue operations on Aug. 30 in the Port Arthur and Orange areas in Texas. These crews rescued a total of 202 people and 47 pets from these areas.
The original 38 agents with trucks and vessels have been relieved of their duties in Texas and started heading home, this morning, Sept. 1. Another five agents with trucks and vessels were called back to perform patrols along the Sabine River in Calcasieu Parish.
LDWF currently has 28 agents with 24 trucks and 24 vessels in the Orange, Texas area.
LDWF agents will remain in Texas until no longer needed.
LDWF agents have also rescued 26 people and two pets from Calcasieu Parish and two people from Sabine Parish in the state of Louisiana.