KENDALL, N.Y. -- With heavy rains in the past few weeks in the Western New York area and historic water levels rising on Lake Ontario, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo called out members of the National Guard into action on May 8, 2017.
High levels of water from Lake Ontario was causing damage along the shores and potentially threatening communities along the shoreline along the five counties that border the lake.
30 members of the Air National Guard’s 107th Attack Wing from Niagara Falls responded to the request for aid.
“This is a blessing for this help” said Warren Kruger, Kendall Highway Dept. Supervisor. “We could not have done this without the Guard.”
Over 39,000 sandbags were placed along the Lake Ontario shore in the first 48 hours of operations to help protect the properties, with support operations expected to continue through the week.
“This is a great opportunity to serve my community” said Staff Sgt. Michael Feick, 107th Services Squadron. “This why I’m in the Guard.”
“This is the reason for being called out to help people and I enjoy this and all of us volunteer for this” Master Sgt. Brain Aldinger, 107th First Sergeant.