EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH (July 5, 2025) – The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office announced that midday on Saturday, a combined 12-member team from Louisiana Task Force 2 (LATF-2) and Louisiana Task Force 3 (LATF-3) deployed to Texas to support ongoing emergency efforts in response to catastrophic flooding across the region.
According to FOX Weather, the death toll from catastrophic flooding that decimated several communities across Texas’ Hill Country has now risen to at least 70, with dozens missing, including several girls who were attending a summer camp.
The disaster struck along Texas’ Guadalupe River after a “deadly flood wave” sent a 20-foot wall of water several miles downstream on the Fourth of July.
“Once again, when our support is needed, our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams step up without hesitation,” said DPS Principal Assistant Bryan J. Adams. “Our dedicated Louisiana firefighters are on their way to assist with the tragic flooding scene in Texas. I am incredibly proud of our teams and their unwavering willingness to stand alongside our sister states in times of need. We are truly “One Team.”
LATF-2 includes highly trained personnel from the Baton Rouge, Zachary, West Feliciana, and East Side Fire Departments. LATF-3 is comprised of responders from the Shreveport Fire Department. Together, the team brings specialized training and equipment to conduct swiftwater rescue and Urban Search and Rescue operations under the most challenging conditions.
These first responders train year-round to prepare for missions like this, where rapid deployment, coordination, and expertise can mean the difference between life and death. Their presence will provide critical support to local emergency services currently overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said, “We are incredibly proud of the professionalism, courage, and selflessness these men and women demonstrate each time they are called upon. Their willingness to leave their homes and families to help others in need is a true testament to the spirit of Louisiana’s first responders.”