ARLINGTON, Va. - National Guard members in at least three states
were responding today after winter storms crossing the nation brought a
multitude of weather warnings, advisories and a state of emergency.
In California, where high surf, floods, landslides and severe winds were
reported, National Guard officials reported yesterday the state's joint force
headquarters in Sacramento received two mission requests as a result of the
heavy rainfall and storms.
Four search and rescue helicopters with hoist capabilities were on standby,
including two Air Guard aircraft in the north and two Army Guard aircraft in
the south, and six armories were tasked to support evacuations. Sixteen
Soldiers and 16 Airmen were called up for state active duty.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office reported Jan. 18 that the California
Guard stood "ready to support flood-fighting efforts with personnel and over
20 aircraft if needed" after he ordered civilian and Guard response units on
standby.
"We must work together to prepare for and remain safe throughout these
storms. I encourage everyone, especially those living around burn areas that
have resulted from recent fires, to monitor the latest weather information
and follow instructions given by local authorities," said Schwarzenegger in a
press release.
The California Emergency Management Agency is on 24-hour standby.
In Arizona, Gov. Jan Brewer declared a state of emergency yesterday in
response to incoming winter storms. The state's emergency operations center
was activated.
State officials predicted snow and rain for Arizona during the next several
days. "This precipitation may cause localized flooding in low-lying areas
making roads impassable and resulting in flooded washes, creeks and rivers,"
reported state officials.
As a result, the state's joint force headquarters in Phoenix placed 58
Soldiers on state active duty status in anticipation of various response
missions.
In South Dakota, where citizens were bracing themselves for a shellacking of
freezing rain, 13 Soldiers were on state active duty in response to the
incoming winter storm there.
Gov. Mike Rounds' office urged state residents to "prepare for a winter
storm" predicted to "bring significant amounts of freezing rain across much
of the state on Friday and Saturday, followed in many areas by six to 12
inches of snow and winds up to 50 mph from Saturday through Monday morning."
"Those conditions will make travel treacherous at best and perhaps impossible
for much of the weekend," Tom Dravland, secretary of the Department of Public
Safety, said in a state press release. "We are recommending that people with
significant medical issues plan to take care of those needs if at all
possible before the storm hits during the day on Friday."