TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana National Guard Soldiers teamed with the Vigo County Sheriffs Department to take officers where they needed to go during the winter storm Sunday and Monday.
The Indiana storm was part of the larger cold front triggered by a so-called polar vortex that has sent temperatures plunging in a record cold wave affecting much of the nation.
According to the National Weather Service, Terre Haute received more than six inches of snow, and the deputies couldn't get their vehicles through the thick snow and even higher drifts.
So, they called the Indiana National Guard.
Gov. Mike Pence activated the Indiana Guard on Sunday and as of today, about 350 Guard members were helping out in their state.
According to USA TODAY, Pence issued an emergency declaration affecting 29 counties. The snowfall total of 11.4 inches was the second highest on record, behind 12.1 inches that fell in 1906, the newspaper said.
"We've been overseas for so long, it's finally good to help our own," said Sgt. 1st Class Wendell McCollough of helping the sheriffs department and his fellow Hoosiers.
Sunday night the Soldiers and deputies received rescue calls.
One was to help a stranded motorist on the U.S. 641 overpass over U.S. 41. By the time the Soldiers and deputies arrived, the motorist had taken his trailered all-terrain vehicle and drove home.
Another call was to transport an elderly couple to a warming shelter. Their home was without power and heat because a tree branch fell on power lines leading to the house.
Patty Riecks, 61, said it meant a lot to her the Indiana National Guard lent a helping hand. "I'm sick, very old and I'm glad you're there for me," she said.
In neighboring Illinois, about 15 members of the National Guard had been on duty, assisting local authorities and fellow citizens.
Meanwhile, the New York National Guard had these preparations made for heavy snow expected Tuesday in the western portion of the state:
The Army National Guard is bringing on the following forces:
- Two Initial Response Forces of five Humvees and 20 Soldiers for a total of 10 Humvees and 40 Soldiers who are to be in place at the Masten Avenue Armory in Buffalo.
- 60 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion 101st Cavalry and 40 Soldiers from the 105th Military Police Company at the Masten Avenue Armory.
- 28 Soldiers from the 204th Engineer Battalion's Engineer Initial Response Force with 15 vehicles - dump trucks and front end loaders - at the Horseheads Armory.
- The 53rd Troop Command will stand up a headquarters element to provide missions command for these units.
- The 427th Brigade Support Battalion and the 1427th Transportation Company have been notified to have 100 Soldiers on alert (not in the armories today) to provide transportation support if required.
The New York Air National Guard is bringing on these forces:
- One IRF at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station provided by the 107th Airlift Wing-20 Airmen and five four-wheel drive vehicles.
- One IRF at Hancock Field ANGB provided by the 174th Attack Wing-20 Airmen and five four-wheel drive vehicles.