WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Nebraska National Guard has deployed equipment and personnel to help in ongoing hurricane Harvey relief operations in the US state of Texas, Nebraska Governor Pete Rickett’s office said in a press release on Monday.
"The Nebraska National Guard has deployed four Army National Guard helicopters and 23 soldiers to Texas to assist in the ongoing Hurricane Harvey relief operations," the release stated.
The Nebraska National Guard unit deploying to Texas is trained and equipped to conduct aeromedical evacuation and hoist rescue missions, the release added.
About 5,500 Houston residents are currently in shelters and this number is expected to increase in the coming days, Houston authorities said.
On Sunday, the US National Hurricane Center said hurricane Harvey continued to pose a deadly threat despite the fact it was gradually weakening. US media reported that three people died in Aransas County and local authorities in Houston and Rockport reportedly confirmed two deaths.
