SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Puerto Rico National Guard was activated Wednesday by Gov. Wanda Vazquez to support emergency response to Hurricane Dorian, which had winds of 75 mph as of the afternoon.
“Due to the activation of the Puerto Rico National Guard, our Joint Operations Center and Joint Task Force have been stood up and will provide support to government agencies during this emergency,” said Maj. Gen. Jose J. Reyes, the adjutant general of Puerto Rico. “We are completing our preparation enroute to our assigned missions.”
Hundreds of military vehicles and electrical generators were fueled Tuesday, while water distribution trucks were also replenished. Engineer and transportation units started to relocate to their assigned areas.
Northern Command and the National Guard Bureau are in direct communication with the adjutant general to assist the PRNG and the Island as needed.
“Even though every weather system can be unpredictable, we hope Dorian is not a repeat of Maria,” said Reyes. “We will have unstable weather and hope our people take the necessary precautions to be safe from any danger.”
The Puerto Rico National Guard has Engineer, Military Police, Transportation, Water Purification and Aviation units, as well as personnel from Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina who are ready for the storm.
Engineer and logistics equipment have been positioned in the municipalities of Mayaguez, Utuado and Salinas, ready to provide immediate support in the event of landslides or blocked roads from fallen debris.
“We will provide security to the shelters once the Department of Housing makes them operational; likewise our military police will provide perimeter security to the facilities of the Correctional Department in Ponce and Guayama,” said Reyes. “We hope this weather system does not affect us, but if it does happen, the Puerto Rico National Guard is ready to assist our people in all possible ways, fulfilling our promise to be: Always Present.”