City of El Paso could receive 1,500 evacuees from hurricane-stricken areas
The City and County of El Paso have activated a joint emergency operation to aid recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
Mayor Dee Margo announced Monday the state has notified the City it may send 1,500 evacuees to El Paso.
Margo said the city is getting ready for the evacuees even though it has not officially confirmed it will receive the evacuees.
In addition, the El Paso Fire Department has already sent six divers and a rescue boat.
El Paso Fire Chief Mario D’Agostino said crews are awaiting orders.
“They’ve arrived at College Station, which is their rendez-vous point,” said D’Agostino. ” From there, they’ll receive information from Texas Task Force 1, on where they’re needed within the state.”
The El Paso Police Department is sending 33 officers, two sergeants and 11 vehicles to the affected region later this afternoon.
There is no specific amount of time first responders plan to spend in Houston, but El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen said there is an additional crew of officers for relief.
“We’re looking at fatigue factors as well, but were going to let those people down there make the determination on when they return,” said Allen.
El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles said the county is trying to send additional resources.
“Right now, we’re trying to get six deputies on the road this afternoon,” said Wiles.”Then we’ll work at sending additional resources if we can.”
El Paso City Manager Tommy Gonzalez said they has not been a timeline given as to when we can expect evacuees in El Paso, but he anticipates they’ll come in around 90 at a time on C 130 military aircraft.
The emergency response plan designates four different facilities, one of them being the convention center.
Workers with the El Paso Public Health Department have been helping field calls and have so far handled 500 calls to date.
Monday, the City acknowledged there are various flight delays at the El Paso International Airport as a result of the devastation in the Houston area. City officials told ABC-7 those who wish to help can dial 311 to be routed to an agency like the Red Cross to offer assistance.
