Flood Relief Operations

 

RELEASED BY  Lt.  Col. Greg Hapgood

            PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
            OFFICE:         (515) 252-458

            CELL: (515) 971-6385

            HOME:          (515) 986-5725

                                                                                                                                                RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

                     

                      CAMP DODGE

                 JOHNSTON, IOWA

JUNE 12, 2008                       

9:40P.M.         

 

 

UPDATE ON IOWA NATIONAL GUARD

FLOOD RELIEF OPERATIONS

 

 

The Iowa National Guard, in conjunction with the office of Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and many local, state, and federal entities, are providing assistance, coordination, planning, and preparation in support of flood relief operations across the state of Iowa.

 

Many Iowa lakes, rivers and streams are at near-record levels, flooding Iowa communities and forcing many Iowans out of their homes. With additional thunderstorms expected to hit Iowa during the week, there are heightened concerns for the safety and security of Iowans. More than 80 of Iowa's 99 counties have been declared state disaster areas.

 

Iowa's citizen-Soldiers and Airmen have responded quickly in assisting Iowa communities as part of their State mission. More than 2,100 Soldiers and Airmen are currently activated for state active duty in Iowa.

 

Since their activation, Iowa National Guard members have been busy partnering with federal, state, county, and local officials in the following affected Iowa communities:

 

-Butler County - Two Soldiers are providing a generator to provide emergency power to the county.

 

IOWA NATIONAL GUARD

Always Ready. Always There.

 

 

 

IOWA NATIONAL GUARD

Always Ready. Always There.

 

Page 2 of 3

 

-Cedar Rapids - Approximately 30 Soldiers are involved in sandbagging and transportation operations. Another 150 Soldiers are assisting the Cedar Rapids Police Department with security, traffic control points and traffic patrols.  Six Soldiers and Airmen are providing generator support to the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Approximately 60 Soldiers are staged to provide emergency water supplies

-Charles City - Approximately six Soldiers are securing the Highway 14 bridge.

-Columbus Junction - Approximately 26 Soldiers are providing traffic control and security, and hauling sandbags.

-Des Moines - More than 300 Soldiers and Airmen are engaged in sandbagging efforts at the Birdland levee system near North High School.

-Elkader - Approximately 30 Soldiers are assisting with traffic control.

-Evansdale - Approximately 30 Soldiers are helping to patrol the dike in this area.

-Iowa City - A 40-Soldier Reaction Team (SRT) has been activated to transport sand and bags in high water areas of Iowa City. Another 100 Soldiers are being prepositioned in Iowa City to assist in future flood-related missions. Soldiers are helping in sandbagging the Iowa City National Guard Armory and the University of Iowa's Mayflower dormitory.

-Johnston - Approximately eight Soldiers have secured access to Saylorville Dam.

-Linn County - Two Soldiers are assisting the Linn County Emergency Manager as required.

-Monona County - Approximately 49 Soldiers provided assistance in response to the Little Sioux Scout Ranch/Monona County tornado and are now stationed in Des Moines.

-Ottumwa - Approximately 12 Soldiers, using six dump trucks, are assisting in providing a barrier for protecting the Ottumwa Water Plant.

-Palo - Approximately 16 Soldiers are assisting members of the Iowa State Patrol in providing security control points along major roads entering and exiting the city.

-Polk City - Approximately 75 Airmen are providing sandbagging support to protect the water treatment facility.

-State of Iowa - A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and its crew are at the disposal of the Governor and Iowa National Guard Adjutant General to provide aerial view of flooding.

-Vinton - Approximately 100 Soldiers were involved in sandbagging and transportation operations. They have been reassigned to follow-on missions in eastern Iowa.

-Waverly - Approximately 12 Soldiers have secured bridges in this area.

 

 

 

IOWA NATIONAL GUARD

Always Ready. Always There.

 

 

IOWA NATIONAL GUARD

Always Ready. Always There.

 

Page 3 of 3

 

Additional Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have been activated around the state and are currently preparing for future flood relief operations. The Iowa National Guard, in conjunction with the office of the Governor and the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, will continue to respond to requests from within the state.  Additional releases about Iowa National Guard relief efforts will be updated on a continuous basis as more information becomes available.

 

For questions concerning this release as well as additional information about the operations, training, and activities of the Iowa Army and Air National Guard, please contact Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Officer by email at gregory.hapgood@us.army.mil or (515) 252-4582 (office), (515) 971-6385 (cell), or (515) 986-5725 (home). You may also contact 1^st Sgt. Duff E. McFadden, at (515) 252-4666 (office), (515) 480-7647 (cell), or by e-mail at duff.e.mcfadden@us.army.mil.

 

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IOWA NATIONAL GUARD

Always Ready. Always There.