BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard continues to conduct response efforts, recovery missions, and preposition vehicles and assets in potentially affected areas, as directed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, since operations began, Aug. 12.
“With the changing conditions, we are continuously adapting to the needs on the ground,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, adjutant general of the LANG. “We continue to work closely with our state partner agencies making the most of opportunities to leverage resources and manpower to keep Louisiana citizens safe and maintain order.”
Currently, the LANG has over 3,880 Guardsmen assisting with emergency flood operations including evacuations, search and rescue operations, sling-load missions, engineering missions, commodities distribution, and security and shelter support.
To date, the Louisiana National Guard has rescued over 19,040 citizens and 2,660 pets. The LANG has issued more than 76,930 MREs; 389,015 bottles of water; 465 tarps; and 961,500 sandbags. The LANG also issued over 2,200 cots and 1,700 blankets for shelter support.
Over the course of these operations, Louisiana Guardsmen have supported local, state, and federal agencies with more than 280 high-water vehicles, 55 boats, 11 Bridge Erection Boats, and 9 helicopters.
The LANG has liaison officer teams in 8 parishes to help assist as needed: Ascension, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Vermillion, St. James and St. John.
Louisiana’s Guardsmen are trained, ready and equipped to stand up at any moment to protect lives and property, maintain communications, and ensure the continuity of operations and government.