HARLAN, Ky. - More than 100 Soldiers with the Kentucky Army National Guard were activated this week to assist local communities following winter storms that dropped snow and ice throughout the Bluegrass State.
In eastern and southern Kentucky snowfall totals exceeded two feet and were combined with bitterly cold temperatures. With 93 of Kentucky's 120 counties declaring emergencies, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear issued a state of emergency Feb. 16, and called on the Guard to assist.
Soldiers with the 201st Engineer Battalion helped clear more than 70 miles of roads in Lee County alone while Soldiers from the 138th Field Artillery Brigade and 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade moved palletized water from Louisville to staging areas to be distributed to those who may need it.
In Harlan County, Soldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment transported pallets of water to distribution points throughout the county following water system failures.
"We have the equipment to do the job," said Army Staff Sgt. Terry Brock with Company A. "We've been delivering water, clearing roads, shoveling driveways, helping people get to doctors, just helping out wherever we can."
Frozen lines and pump failures knocked out the water to an estimated 45,000 households in eastern Kentucky. Together with the snow, many in the rural mountain communities were impacted worse than other parts of the state.
The Soldiers from Company A were responsible for the delivery of more than 7,000 gallons of water, said Spc. James Harmon, a Soldier with the unit. In coordination with local relief agencies, the Guard members supplied designated distribution points that were closer for citizens to pick up needed water. Each run became similar to a wellness check as many Soldiers recognized familiar faces and were able to judge the situation based upon the words of friends and local residents they knew.
"I grew up here in Harlan," said Harmon. "It's a great community of people. I just helped deliver water to my old elementary school in Bledsoe. It's why I enjoy being a part of the National Guard. We serve our Nation, but are also here to help our neighbors get back on their feet."
Soldiers in the area also provided transportation assistance to emergency personnel, ensuring doctors, nurses and health care staff made it to work.
Guard members in other states have been called out as well.
Elements of the Arkansas Army National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have been working with the Arkansas State Police to provide similar assistance in response to winter storms that affected that state. Teams from the brigade have been working throughout the central and southern portions of Arkansas assisting stranded motorists and transporting emergency personnel.
In Virginia, an additional 50 Soldiers from the Virginia Army National Guard have been brought on duty to augment Soldiers who have been responding to winter weather conditions since Feb. 16. The additional Soldiers were brought on in response to additional winter storms that moved through the area this week.
"The Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested that we stage additional forces in key locations in the Hampton Roads, Richmond and Danville areas to assist local first responders if the expected snow reduces their abilities to travel and provide assistance to citizens," said Army Col. James Zollar, director of joint operations with the Virginia National Guard.
Meanwhile, Soldiers from the Virginia Army Guard's 1032nd Transportation Company have been on duty in Wise County, Virginia, clearing ice and snow berms created by plowing of primary roads. Virginia Army Guard Soldiers have also assisted with the delivery of food, water and other supplies as needed and have run more than 40 resupply missions delivering food, water, medicine and kerosene to the towns of Appalachia, Pound, Norton, Wise, Big Stone Gap and Coeburn.