The US Navy said it has deployed amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) to Texas where they will support federal, state and local authorities with ongoing relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
Kearsarge along with Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is to depart Naval Station Norfolk on Thursday, August 31, while Oak Hill will depart from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
These ships are capable of providing medical support, maritime civil affairs, maritime security, expeditionary logistic support, medium and heavy lift air support.
State and local agencies are in the lead for this response effort.
In addition to ships, the navy has relocated two helicopter squadron detachments to Easterwood Airport on Wednesday after making 227 helicopter rescues while flying from Fort Worth on Tuesday.
The 112 sailors from the Dusty Dogs and Ghostriders of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons (HSC) 7 and 28 (respectively) moved their staging site and six MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters in order to be closer to the disaster zone in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
U.S. Coast Guard Flood Punt Teams from around the US are assisting in rescue efforts and have saved more than 5,058 people from flooded homes and streets as of August 30.