Dallas teams with Texas DPS for hurricane air evacuation drill

The Texas coast has had the second largest number of direct hits from hurricanes over the years, and residents fleeing those storms sometimes end up in Dallas.

First responders prepared for that possibility this week by practicing air emergency evacuations at Love Field. In addition to Love Field staff and Police Unit, participants in the exercise included Texas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.

The drill simulated a category four hurricane striking the Rio Grande Valley. Multiple airplane flew in displaced Texans from Harlingen to airports across the state. A portion of those “evacuees” arrived at Love Field by plane, and were shuttled by Dallas County School buses to pre-determined shelter locations.

The hurricane season opened June 1 and runs through November.