Texas has deployed emergency resources and personnel to Louisiana to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
A Chinook helicopter, 30 fire engines and more than 130 firefighters were among the initial resources Louisiana received, according to an Office of the Texas Governor press release.
“We will never forget the kindness, generosity and support offered by Louisiana during Hurricane Harvey four years ago,” Gov. Greg Abbott wrote in an Aug. 30 Twitter post. “When neighbors help neighbors, America is stronger.”
Abbott said that additional resources including 116 national guardsmen, 25 high-water vehicles and seven high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles have been sent to Louisiana to aid in its hurricane response and recovery efforts.
“Texas will continue to help our neighbors in need, just as they did for us,” Abbott wrote in a Sept. 1 Twitter post.
Abbott recently proclaimed September 2021 as Preparedness Month in Texas and urged residents to create a family communication plan, designate an emergency meeting location and build an emergency kit.
“I encourage all Texans to remain mindful of both natural and manmade disasters,” Abbott said in the proclamation. “As the conditions of potential threats can change rapidly, it is essential to understand and heed warnings from local officials and emergency management personnel.”
Labelled as one of the biggest storms to hit Louisiana since 1850 by Gov. John Bel Edwards, Ida made landfall along its southeastern coastline at Category 4 strength around noon on Aug. 29, which was also the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall, CBS New reports.
The storm caused massive power outages and claimed the lives of at least 12 people, according to Reuters. President Joe Biden has pledged ongoing federal aid to the storm-stricken Pelican State, Bloomberg reports.