UPDATE: About 3,000 Guard members respond to domestic weather-related disasters
By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
National Guard Bureau
About 1,100 Alabama National Guard members are supporting civilian authorities after tornadoes ravaged the state Wednesday. (Photo by Don Lemon, CNN) (Used by permission)
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hi-res photoARLINGTON, Va. - About 3,000 National Guard members were responding to weather-related domestic disasters in 11 states on Friday, the majority in tornado-ravaged Alabama, while hundreds still tackled rising waters in North Dakota, epicenter of flooding challenging seven states.
In Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi, tornadoes killed and injured people and destroyed property; in Texas, drought fueled wildland fires; in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Tennessee, swollen rivers either escaped their banks or threatened to do so.
The rash of domestic weather-related responses seemed unlikely to abate any time soon: Officials are watching the Mississippi River and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour warned of potential major flooding.
More than 300 are dead after more than 160 tornadoes swept through seven Southern states midweek in the worst natural disaster to hit the nation since Hurricane Katrina.
Thousands were injured, many more rendered homeless and at one point at least a million were without power after the tornado swarm inflicted damages estimated in the billions of dollars, according to news reports.
It was the deadliest tornado swarm since 310 people were killed in 1974.
About 1,100 Guard members were on duty in Alabama today, and the governor has authorized up to 2,000. The president – who on Friday declared a major disaster in Alabama – was visiting damaged areas today. Guard missions included search and rescue, security, transportation and road clearing, National Guard Bureau officials reported.
The National Weather Service today reported that it rated one 205 mph, half-mile wide tornado that struck Mississippi on Wednesday that state's first EF-5 tornado since 1966 and predicted many more of the tornadoes that struck the South will receive the same damage rating, the highest.
About 40 Guard members were providing traffic control points, security assistance and communications support in Mississippi.
More than 50 Citizen-Airmen were among the 72 Guard members helping Arkansas residents recovering from tornado damage, providing security, patrolling roads, delivering water and performing search and rescue functions.
"We're doing all of this while we're also deploying Airmen to support the overseas war effort, while our day-to-day … mission continues uninterrupted," said Air Force Col. Jim Summers, 189th Airlift Wing commander.
"This is a prime example of how flexible our Air National Guard is, but it takes the support of … employers and a Guardsman's family for it to continue to work. I can't say enough about how employers and families have stepped up."
A handful of Tennessee Guard members were providing aerial damage reconnaissance. In that state, Guard officials said the tornadoes had contributed to Mississippi River flooding. Tennessee Air National Guard aircraft were damaged by hail and wind Thursday, Guard officials reported.
High Red River levels affected North Dakota, where some Guard members have been on duty for more than three weeks and 311 remained on duty today.
North Dakota Guard quick reaction forces placed thousands of sandbags to protect homes. Guard members also patrolled dikes and staffed traffic control points.
Working with the Guard "has been nothing but positive," Rick Schock, a city contractor, told a North Dakota Guard member. "They've been a great assistance to us."
Some 680 Guard members were on duty in Missouri, including 563 sandbagging, monitoring levees and roads, assisting evacuees and supporting law enforcement and 115 responding to damage that hit especially close to Guard members: An estimated $10 million or more in tornado damage to Missouri Air National Guard facilities at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
About 377 Illinois Guard members were assisting civilian authorities with route reconnaissance, levee surveillance, water deliveries and maintenance.
"In addition to their military responsibilities, our Soldiers and Airmen are also committed to their careers and families, so I am impressed with their rapid response to the governor's call," said Army Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Illinois' adjutant general.
Another 213 were on duty in flood-related operations in Indiana and 15 in Minnesota.
About 128 Kentucky Guard members tackled Ohio River flooding, building barriers, filling sandbags and supporting civilian law enforcement authorities.
"I want to express my appreciation for what the Guard does," farmer Mike Gustafson told a North Dakota Guard member. "The effort makes it comfortable for people who are dealing with the stress and the issues that could result from a catastrophic problem.
"It's sometimes so easy to take for granted what they do, not only throughout the world for security, freedom of the lifestyle we live, but those things they do at the community level … and the presence of them here is extremely appreciated."
National Guard tackles deadly storms, fires, floods
By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
National Guard Bureau
Kentucky National Guard members Army Pfc. David Barrow, Army Spc. Tommy Wyatt and Army Pvt. Cedric Bransford, 2113th Transportation Company, assist local residents in flood relief mission in Oscar, Ky., April 27, 2011. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Oliver) (Released)
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hi-res photoARLINGTON, Va. (4/28/11) - The National Guard is supporting civilian authorities responding to storms that have killed more than 200 people in six states.
More than 1,000 Guard members were responding in worst-hit Alabama, with those numbers expected to increase, according to National Guard officials. At least 131 people were killed in Wednesday's storms there, dozens more injured and up to a million without power.
"I have activated the Alabama National Guard to provide assistance whenever and wherever they are needed to help our local communities that have experienced widespread destruction," Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said after declaring a state of emergency.
"These Guardsmen are well-trained and will take every action necessary to protect lives and property in this emergency," Bentley said.
Guard members were delivering tarpaulins and clearing roads after hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged, according to Alabama National Guard officials. Bentley has authorized the activation of up to 2,000 Guard members.
The National Weather Service received more than 150 tornado reports in the South, including more than 60 in Alabama and almost 40 in Mississippi. With reports continuing to come in, the outbreak might yet be the worst since 148 tornadoes struck 13 states in 16 hours in 1974, forecasters said.
About 120 Soldiers were assisting in tornado recovery Thursday in Mississippi, including by closing streets and providing communications capabilities.
A Mississippi Air National Guard C-26 Metroliner flying over Alabama and Mississippi was providing real-time storm damage video, the Mississippi Guard reported.
The latest response comes as hundreds of Guard members already were supporting wildland firefighting efforts in Texas, responding to the aftermath of an Arkansas tornado and battling flooding in six states: Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri and North Dakota.
Moderate to severe flooding has affected the Red, Minnesota, Mississippi and Ohio rivers, Guard officials reported. More rain is expected through Friday.
Flood support typically includes levee patrols, quick reaction forces standing by for rescues, traffic control points, sandbagging, barrier construction and other duties.
About 170 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen were responding in Arkansas after tornadoes and high winds struck on Monday, according to Arkansas National Guard officials. Duties included assisting evacuees, clearing roads, providing security and transporting water.
In Kentucky, about 125 Guard members were sandbagging, erecting water barriers and supporting civilian law enforcement authorities in response to Ohio River flooding.
"The National Guard is Kentucky's hometown defense force, and as such we have a personal stake in this fight," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, adjutant general. "We have the experience and expertise to see this crisis through."
Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen began responding to Illinois flood threats Tuesday.
"We are still in the early stages of this mission, so as always, we stand ready to answer the call for additional support if needed," said Army Maj. Gen. William Enyart, adjutant general. "As we have during the floods of 1993 and 2008, our Soldiers and Airmen are ready to assist whenever and wherever."
In Missouri, more than 600 Guard members were supporting tornado and flood response with sandbagging, earth moving and water rescue capabilities.
Tuesday, Missouri Guard members rescued a family stranded by flood waters.
"It's been a heck of a day; it was rough," Randy White told a Missouri Guard member after his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren were rescued. "It's a good thing the National Guard is here. They did a great job."
"Our concern is for the safety of the citizens," said Army Col. Wendul Hagler, task force commander. "This is an important mission. It's about more than a few people. It's about the livelihood of an entire community."
Guard members also are supporting the Border Patrol on the nation's Southwest border, contributing to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response, protecting critical infrastructure and performing other domestic missions in support of civilian authorities.
Meanwhile, more than 100,000 Guard members are either alerted, mobilizing, deployed or demobilizing for overseas operations in more than five countries, according to Guard officials.
- National Guard Bureau and individual state reports and civilian media
contributed.
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