Photo By Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens | Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw Jr., the adjutant general of Florida, watches as workers...... read more read more
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LIVE OAK, Fla. – The Florida National Guard is supporting relief efforts in several counties affected by widespread flooding after Tropical Storm Debby dumped large amounts of rain on its slow journey across the state.
Governor Scott, along with Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Emmett R. Titshaw Jr. and several other state officials, has visited residents in impacted areas in Wakulla, Suwannee and Pasco counties to survey the flooding and damage and talk to residents impacted by the storm.
“We just left the shelter here that has the citizens of Live Oak who lost their homes, who essentially lost everything,” said Titshaw. “Talking to some of the people, it was very gratifying to hear when they told me they were rescued by the Florida National Guard. It’s the reason we do what we do.”
The Florida National Guard participated in several rescues of local residents from the flood waters in Columbia and Suwannee counties.
“The National Guard pulled up in a truck and I was like, ‘Thank God,’” said Michaela Solomon, a resident of Live Oak who was rescued, along with her children, from her home by soldiers from the Florida National Guard. “It was such a relief to know we were going to somewhere safe. It was just a blessing that the National Guard came to where we were.”
As of June 29, more than 70 Florida National Guard personnel have been called duty to support relief efforts. Due to rising flood waters, Guardsmen are providing high-water tactical vehicles to assist with rescues, evacuations and damage assessments in Suwannee and Columbia counties.
In addition to the high-water vehicles, the Florida National Guard is also assisting with communications in Suwannee County providing a Regional Emergency Response Vehicle to provide internet and phone capabilities to the Suwannee County Emergency Operations Center.
For soldiers from the 868th Engineer Company, the flooding hit close to home, affecting many local soldiers in the tight-knit Live Oak-based unit. Approximately half of the unit resides locally in the area and several of the full-time unit support staff members were affected by the storm.
The Florida National Guard is continuing to provide support as requested by the State Emergency Response Team. Florida’s Citizen soldiers and Airmen are trained and equipped for a wide range of life support, security and public safety missions and can mobilize approximately 9,000 personnel if needed to protect lives and property during disasters.
| Date Taken: | 06.29.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.29.2012 15:03 |
| Story ID: | 90874 |
| Location: | LIVE OAK, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 290 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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