In response to Hurricane Laura Governor John Bel Edwards has mobilized the entire Louisiana National Guard, a decision he says hasn’t been made since Hurricane Isaac in 2012.
Louisiana National Guard Sgt. Denis Ricou says more than 3,000 guard are out and ready to support response and recovery efforts.
“Some are directly in the path of the storm while others are just outside of it. They are out there to save lives, save property, maintain communications and ensure continuity in government,” says Ricou.
10 engineer assessment teams and eight engineer work teams have been staged to clear roads and inspect infrastructure. Levee support and security teams are also on hand.
Ricou says those 3,000 plus soldiers will be utilizing the Guard’s extensive search and rescue assets.
“We have approximately 222 high water vehicles, 65 boats manned and staged in southern Louisiana, and at least 19 Army aircraft, that’s our helicopters, prepared to support search and rescue response efforts,” says Ricou.
Those search and rescue efforts will begin once the storm passes.
Ricou says they’ve got plenty of food and water to take care of people in the aftermath.
“We have staged more than 920,000 liters of water and over 525,000 MREs, those are meals ready to eat,” says Ricou.
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