Feds deploy natural disaster medical teams to ahead of hurricane

The federal government is readying medical teams to assist those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana as the Category 3 storm barrels toward the Gulf Coast.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has summoned 460 National Disaster Medical System staff, such as community doctors and nurses from around the country, the department announced.

The Centers for Disease Control has prepared two 250-bed Federal Medical Stations in Baton Rouge, La., which are prepared to be deployed to other locations, according to HHS.

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The government’s medical preparations come as President Trump prepares to face his first natural disaster as president.

The Category 3 hurricane is barreling toward Texas where it is expected to bring heavy rains and flooding.

More than 4.6 million people live within the path of the storm, according to White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert.

Forecasts predict the storm will make landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas, overnight Friday, before stalling over the state.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) have declared states of emergency.