NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Soldiers and Airmen from the Tennessee National Guard are working with state and local emergency responders to help people in Humphreys County impacted by flash flooding.
Working with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Guard members are providing medical assistance and rescue support to those in need.
The Tennessee National Guard’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team and a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter from Nashville’s 1-230th Air Cavalry Regiment are assisting with water rescues. Guardsmen are working with the Nashville Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team with search and rescue operations throughout the county.
Medical providers and medics from the Tennessee National Guard’s Medical Command in Smyrna were airlifted by Black Hawk helicopter to Waverly’s Three Rivers Hospital to support the hospital’s medical staff.
Nearly 50 Soldiers with 12 light medium tactical vehicles, which can traverse flooded areas, and eight Humvees from units in Dickson, Lexington, Trenton and Waverly are traveling to the affected area to help with rescues.
Nashville’s Joint Force Headquarters activated its Mobile Communications Center to establish emergency communications in the affected area by providing emergency cellular, internet and radio communications.
“Our first priority is to assist with getting responders access to the area and conduct rescue operations,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessee adjutant general. “We’ll continue to increase the number of forces as the situation dictates, and we’ll be positioning additional specialty units to respond as needed. This is all about agility and teamwork with trusted agency partners and we’re fortunate to have those relationships developed through many hours of training together.”