Louisiana Guard prepares for winter flooding

Photo By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis | Lt. Col. Larry Benton, deputy brigade commander of the 225th Engineer Brigade, along with other members of the brigade staff brief the battalions of their missions in response to the Mississippi River flooding during a conference call on Jan. 5. The brigade has been tasked with helping with levee patrols and providing equipment in response to the flooding of the Mississippi River. (National Guard Photo by Sgt. Noshoba Davis)  

NEW ORLEANS, LA, UNITED STATES

01.06.2016

Story by Spc. Joshua Barnett 

Louisiana National Guard

NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized more than 70 personnel, with more expected in the coming days, to assist local, parish and state emergency officials in advance of expected river flooding at the request of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The LANG has established mission commands and staged engineer personnel and heavy equipment to combat the flood waters and protect communities in support of local officials. Liaison officers are working closely with affected parishes.

Guardsmen will begin 24-hour levee inspection operations Friday in the parishes of Concordia, East Carroll, Madison and Tensas to inspect for seepage.

Two sand-bagging chutes have been provided to state officials in Tensas Parish. The LANG has also issued 13,000 sandbags to West Feliciana Parish and an additional 13,000 sandbags are being sent to Avoyelles Parish.

LANG will also be conducting aerial surveys in the Red River Atchafalaya Levee District, including the Red River, Old River control structure and Morganza control structure.

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.

• Date Taken: 01.06.2016
• Date Posted: 01.07.2016 16:59
• Story ID: 185789
• Location: NEW ORLEANS, LA, US