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NEWS | May 4, 2010

Arkansas, Kentucky continue to recover from tornados

By Capt. Andi Hahn Kentucky National Guard

FRANKFORT, Ky., - Gov. Steve Beshear confirmed today at the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) the issuance of an executive order, effective May 1, 2010 declaring a state of emergency in response to the severe storms and flooding that hit the Commonwealth over the weekend.

“The safety of our citizens is my first priority,” he said. “That is why I urge individuals who encounter high waters to use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary contact with flood waters if at all possible. Our thoughts are especially with those who lost loved ones in the tragic deaths that have been attributed to the weekend’s storms.”

Beshear has turned to the Kentucky National Guard to provide support to the troubled counties.  Currently there are 37 Soldiers and 14 vehicles from the 1-623rd Field Artillery Battalion providing assistance in Metcalfe and Monroe County. Future missions include damage assessment teams deploying to Casey County by the end of today.

“The damage is wide-spread,” Beshear said. “We will continue to do whatever is necessary to help you survive the impact of the storms.”

The governor spoke with President Barack Obama earlier today about the storms that hit the state. The President was quick to offer whatever assistance is needed and said his thoughts and prayers are with the people of Kentucky.

Brig. Gen. John W. Heltzel, the director of Emergency Management and Deputy Commander for Joint Forces Headquarters for the Kentucky National Guard, speaks about the damage around the commonwealth from the weekend storms at a press conference at the Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort, Ky.

There are currently 13 shelters open throughout the state to help provide aid to those affected by the storms and floods.

Support mission continues for the Guard after Friday tornados ~ Scotland mission ends; East End support ongoing for the 189th 

In Arkansas, the community of East End is abuzz with the sound of chainsaws as they work to recover from the damage left by Friday’s wave of tornados.  

As homeowners, family and friends worked together to remove fallen trees and repair damage to their homes, the community was flooded with power company workers repairing lines and cutting trees that threatened further damage.

Another common sight in the community was the presence of the Arkansas Air National Guard. They arrived here May 1 in response to Gov. Mike Beebe’s direction to get support on the ground as soon as possible after the communities of East End and Scotland were hit.

“We deployed within two hours of the Governor’s call out and we actually had a presence on the ground here that night running patrols,” said Lt. Col. Phil Moorehouse, commander of the 189th Airlift Wing’s Rapid Augmentation Team, which responded to the call for support in East End. “According to the sheriff’s department, we had a great deterrent effect on people. Keeping honest people honest.”

Moorehouse said security went further than simply running patrols however.

“We were able to get in here and do some of the initial road clearing so [the fire department] could keep their teams available for fires,” he said.  “We actually had a fire on Saturday afternoon that they had to respond to.  Because we we’re here, they were able to respond that much better.”

While the 189th took on the East End support, the muscle for the mission in Scotland came from the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. 

The mission for the 39th has since ended, with their 50 Soldiers being released on May 2. And while a large number of the 189th’s original 50 were released May 2 as well, 18 of their Airmen remain on duty in support of the East End community.

“We’re helping with Entergy that’s repairing lines on the main highway here. We’re blocking traffic for them,” said Moorehouse. “The rest of my teams are out doing health and welfare checks, making sure people have water and don’t need any emergency medical care.”

Along with the traffic control and health and welfare support provided in the daylight hours, the team is continuing to work in shifts around the clock to provide a presence patrol overnight. The East End mission is anticipated to end for the Guard today, but the community’s recovery will likely continue for several weeks.

“One of the most amazing parts is how well this community has come together,” said Moorehouse, who is actually a member of the East End community. “It’s great to watch the community support that has come around here, and they’ve been very supporting of us as well. It’s been great for my folks also to do what they do best. Helping Arkansans is part of why we joined the Guard.”

 

 

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