N.C. Guard Readies for Flooded Areas

RALEIGH, NC (10/01/2010)(readMedia)-- The North Carolina National Guard has mobilized 13 personnel in response to heavily flooded areas in eastern North Carolina. Nine Soldiers and four large vehicles reported last night to New Bern, N.C., and this afternoon a UH 60 Blackhawk helicopter and four crew members from Salisbury, N.C., were called to Kinston, N.C., to support operations starting tonight.

The N.C. Guard will continue to work together with North Carolina Emergency Management authorities to identify critical needs throughout this emergency.

The N.C. National Guard has approximately 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen in its ranks with almost 600 mobilized for federal active duty. The citizen Soldiers and Airmen of the N.C. Guard have mobilized for numerous natural disasters before and bring a great deal of knowledge and expertise to this type of relief operation.

The N.C. National Guard utilizes a "Force Package" concept that is specifically designed to address a wide variety disaster support needs. These Force Packages range from engineering and security to logistical assets, aviation, power generation, route clearance and transportation.

Recent N.C. National Guard Natural Disaster Operations:

1999 - Mobilized for Hurricane Floyd: Approximately 6,500

2005 - Mobilized to support Hurricanes: 1,367

Katrina – 900 Guardsmen with the first 300 within 48 hours of the storm.

Other Hurricane support: Wilma-24, Ophelia-416, Rita-12, Trop. Dep. Tammy-15

2006 - Mobilized for tropical storm Ernesto, approximately 220

2010 – Mobilized to support Hurricane Earl, approximately 116

Editors Note: The N.C. National Guard has a photographer in the area of operations and will release photos as soon as possible to enable media outlets to cover these operations. For additional information, contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phone at (919) 612- 5061. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil.