AMARILLO – Due to historic flooding along the Canadian River last week, the Potter County Sheriff’s Office requested that Texas Game Wardens assist with swift-water search and rescue needs.

Along with local game wardens, members of the game warden search and rescue team responded with swift-water boats and additional resources. Within hours, Texas Game Wardens arrived on the scene and initiated coordination efforts to deploy search and rescue boats and teams to the northern Panhandle area.

“Through strong interagency efforts and intensive training, Texas Game Wardens were prepared and ready to respond to an incident in the Panhandle,” said Potter County Game Warden Ryan Hunter. “The search and rescue team maintains highly skilled members across the state and has a long history of supporting local authorities during times of severe weather crisis.”

Potter County officials initiated an incident command structure to streamline the response to the flooding. Under that process, the Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue Team facilitated multiple vehicle related rescues at low level water crossings. After Potter County issued an emergency declaration closure of the Canadian River area near the U.S. Highway 287 bridge, wardens assisted with enforcement efforts through river patrols.

Potter and Randall County Fire and Rescue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Department of Public Safety and many others assisted with the response. With severe weather and rain expected through the week, Texas Game Wardens will continue to work closely alongside local agencies and officials to coordinate response efforts to the current flooding event in the Amarillo area.

Officials encourage members of the community to stay tuned to the National Weather Service website for up-to-date information on weather warnings, road closures and evacuations. www.weather.gov