TERRE HAUTE - As the Air National Guard's 181st Intelligence Wing and the Army National Guard's 519th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion personnel made their way toward Hulman Field, they had an idea what their mission was going to be during June's drill weekend.
More than six inches of rain dumped into the Wabash Valley on Friday evening and well into Saturday morning, stranding motorists and pouring stormwater into local residents' homes.
When the call for assistance came in, the Guard was ready to begin sandbag operations.
"There were several Soldiers and Airmen who made it in only to find out their homes were being flooded," said Maj. Jim Jensen, public affairs officer for the 181st Intelligence Wing. "This is a disaster that is affecting us all, but we have a mission to support. Some stayed here to continue filling sand bags for others while their own homes were flooding. That says a lot about Indiana Guardsmen and how much they care about the community."
As of today, more than 900 Soldiers and Airmen from across the state have been activated to fight the floods in southern Indiana.
When the governor of Indiana declared a State of Emergency, drill weekend became a constant effort to lend a hand to a community in need. Sand bag operations began on base as local television crews were reporting the extent of the damage. Reports of family and friends' homes being flooded trickled in throughout the morning.
Less than a mile from the base entrance, State Road 42 had collapsed under the weight of rushing flood waters. Airmen and Soldiers on base could not see the devastation, but reports from other sources became enough to motivate them throughout the night.
"We filled more than 12,000 sand bags in 24 hours," said Chief Master Sgt. Anne Rice, who was leading the bagging efforts on base. "Even though many have been here throughout the night, our attitudes have been very positive. It's good to see the camaraderie within. We've got them ready to go wherever they are needed."
The 181st, 519th and the 138th Quartermaster Company of Brazil, Ind., offered support late Saturday night as they sand bagged critical low-lying areas surrounding Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
Here in Terre Haute, Thompson ditch was overflowing in front of the hospital and as the flood waters rushed into the neighborhoods, Rea Park and surrounding areas. Across the street, more than 50 Air and Army Guard personnel focused their attention on the main utility facilities supporting the hospital.Â
"We provided sand bags around their operational and back-up facilities," said Lt. Col. Kevin Vedder, commander of the 519th CSSB. "This was a successful joint operation and everyone has been positive and motivated."
Sandbag machines are prepositioned in Vincennes, Linton, Elnora and Terre Haute, Ind. About 200 soldiers from the 38th Infantry Division have been moved to Elnora to assist with sandbagging operations.
Soldiers and Airmen of the Indiana National Guard also opened armories in Martinsville, Greencastle, Brazil, Terre Haute, Bloomington and Danville to support local responders in their operations over the weekend.
"This is a situation where a community is in need of our support," said Jensen. "We are the Guard. Air and Army, it is our duty to support the needs of state agencies and provide our assets to the relief effort in any way we can."
Indiana National Guardsmen are currently providing drinking water in Hope, Saint Bernice, Paragon, Nineveh, Hymara and Columbus, Ind.,, search and rescue and security operations in Bartholomew County. Guardsmen worked with local and state agencies to assist in the evacuation of over 100 patients from the Columbus Regional Hospital.
On Sunday, a UH-60 Blackhawk from the Indiana Army National Guard assisted the American Red Cross with the delivery of food to Worthington, Ind., a city that has been cut off by the flood waters.
"We will continue to work to support our citizens in their time of need," said Brig. Gen. Margaret Washburn. "Our Soldiers and Airmen will work tirelessly to support our local responders and communities throughout the flooding in Southern Indiana."