Austin Emergency Crews Ready To Help Tropical Storm Barry Victims

AUSTIN, TX — Central Texas may have dodged a bullet as it relates to the trajectory of Tropical Storm Barry along the Gulf Coast, but that doesn't mean local emergency crews won't be giving neighbors a helping hand.

Palmer Buck, district chief with the Austin Fire Department, wrote on Twitter eight crew members were en route to the region as part of a deployment in case their needed for rescue efforts. "They may be gone two days or two weeks, so please keep them, their families, and those in LA in your thoughts," Buck wrote.

The Austin Fire Department later said seven more crew members would be added to the deployment comprising search and rescue teams. The personnel was headed for Denham, Louisiana to potentially assist with evacuations, the department said.

The Central & South Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross also will be mobilizing

"The Red Cross has shelters open and is working with local officials to determine what other help will be needed after the storm comes ashore," officials wrote in an advisory. "Mandatory evacuations are already in effect in some areas."

Related story: Will Tropical Storm Barry Impact Austin Area?

Red Cross officials advised those needing a safe place to stay to call 2-1-1, visit redcross.org or download the free Red Cross Emergency App. "People should follow their local state or parish news for additional information," officials wrote.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Red Cross works 24/7 to be ready to respond to disasters of all sizes. Help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Please click, text or call to donate to the Red Cross to help people affected by disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Red Cross officials noted that some 10 million people are in the path of Tropical Storm Barry, the first tropical storm to threaten the U.S. this year. The storm poses a triple flooding threat to Louisiana with the potential for almost two feet of rain, a storm surge that could go as high as six feet and rivers already dangerously high.

In addition to those efforts, Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday said Texas would deploy resources to Louisiana to assist with disaster response. Among the resources mobilized are the Texas Task Force 1's Type III Urban Search and Rescue team along with water rescue groups.

"Texans remember how the state of Louisiana came to our aid during Hurricane Harvey and now we are in turn lending our support as Louisianans face Tropical Storm Barry,” Abbott said in announcing the initiative. “Texas is continuing to monitor this storm and I have placed assets and teams on standby to respond to any severe weather that may impact our state. I am proud of the way our first responders are stepping up to assist in these crucial response efforts, and I ask all Texans to keep those in the storm’s path in their thoughts and prayers.”

According to CNN, Tropical Storm Barry was just off the Gulf Coast as of Friday evening, and gaining power. At last check, it was churning in the gulf, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center's advisory at 5 pm. The storm is expected to grow into a hurricane by the time it makes landfall as early as Saturday morning, according to the center.