Several dog teams in Southern California are deploying to Texas to support search and rescue efforts following a devastating flash flood that has killed at least 100 people and 160 more people gone missing.
Crews from the task force with the Orange County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department left LAX Wednesday morning. Another Riverside County team is also believed to be on the way.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with people in central Texas,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said in a statement. “We are grateful to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Cal Oes for deploying the LACOFD dog team to support our search and recovery efforts.”
The SOCAL team will join hundreds of other volunteers in one of the biggest search operations in Texas history.
On July 9, 2025, the Canine City Search and Rescue Team from Orange County departed LAX for Texas. On Saturday, July 5th, 2025, the Guadalupe River after flash floods cleaned the area in Hunt, Texas. (AP Photo/Gulio Cortez)
“We are proud to support our partners and stand up to our communities affected during this challenging and tragic time,” said Greg Balta, OCFA spokesman.
The floods struck over the weekend of July 4th destroyed a devastating area along the Guadalupe River in Carr County. It has historical sites like the popular holiday spot, Youth Camp, Camp Mystic, where at least 27 campers and counselors have passed away.
Six remained unrecorded.
Flash floods were the deadliest in the United States as the Big Thompson Canyon Flood in Colorado killed 144 people on July 31, 1976, according to Bob Henson, a meteorologist with Yale climate links.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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