Louisiana Guardsmen expand flood fight to southern part of state

Photo By Master Sgt. Toby Valadie | Gov. John Bel Edwards surveys flooded areas and thanks Louisiana National Guardsmen who have been assisting local agencies around the clock in Ponchatoula, La., March 12, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Toby M. Valadie)  

PONCHATOULA, LA, UNITED STATES

03.12.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Denis Ricou 

Louisiana National Guard

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard, as directed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, continues to assist local agencies in response to significant flooding from north to south in the state, working around the clock since March 9.

The LANG has approximately 1,340 Guardsmen responding to flood operations in at least 25 parishes, to include evacuations, search and rescue by vehicle, boat and helicopter, distribution and supply of water, security and shelter support, and distribution of sandbags.

Over the course of these operations, the LANG has utilized more than 160 high-water vehicles, 44 boats, and 3 helicopters.

The LANG has rescued more than 2,136 citizens, and 186 pets. The LANG has distributed more than 12,000 bottles of water, issued more than 582,000 sand bags with 8 sandbag-filling machines.

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: 03.12.2016
• Date Posted: 03.13.2016 10:58
• Story ID: 192193
• Location: PONCHATOULA, LA, US