LUMBERTON, Texas — State and local officials have been beefing up resources In Hardin County amid severe weather.
Even a search and rescue team from Nashville, Tennessee is stationed at Hardin County Emergency Service District #2 in Lumberton to provide assistance.
The search and rescue team is prepared to move quickly across Texas, depending on where they're needed the most.
"We train a lot in this in this field and then this is the time we get to showcase our skills," said Larry Clymer, the strike team leader.
17 members of the Nashville Fire Department are on standby for possible flooding in Southeast Texas. Their plan is to travel to areas that receive the heaviest rain.
"Geographically, we're a little farther away, so if they anticipate long flooding like this has been... like a series of fronts coming through and storms building... it has to be a pretty good first to travel this far," Clymer said.
Clymer says although his crew hasn't been deployed to Texas since Topical Storm Harvey, they're ready help.
"We train for months and years before some of them actually get on a deployment. So they're ready. About time they're here," he said.
Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel says the county has been taking a proactive approach while planning the response to these storms.
However, dealing with ongoing severe weather has been draining.
"It's taxing, you know. I worry about everybody. You know this all been going on now since about April 10 and people that live in a low lying area, which we have a lot of that in Hardin County, especially along Village Creek and the Neches River. Several other creeks and tributaries throughout the county that water has just been going up and down," Judge McDaniel said.
The Nashville Fire Department tells 12News their water boats, in addition to local resources, are prepared to move anywhere at any time.
"This station has a boat and swift water so we're here to enhance them," said Clymer.
Staying weather aware is key when severe storms are heading our way. You can stay up to date by downloading out 12NewsNow app.