Guard responds to winter storms

By Staff Sgt. Jim GreenhillNovember 18, 2011

Arizona Guard provides assistance in wake of storms
Arizona Guardsmen load pallets of "Meals, Ready to Eat" and sandbags onto a palletized load system truck. In response to requests from the Arizona Department of Emergency Management, the Arizona National Guard has repositioned trucks, Soldiers and Bl... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 26, 2010) -- The National Guard responded to severe weather in the Dakotas and Arizona Jan. 25.

In South Dakota -- where National Guard officials said about 6,000 people were without power during strong winter storms with high wind, snow and freezing rain -- Guard members set up generators at the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, worked to reopen roads and prepared for search and rescue operations.

South Dakota's response included bulldozers and recovery vehicles staged in three cities, and personnel called up for snow removal and to tackle ice accumulations on roads and power lines.

In North Dakota, civilian media reported about 2,500 people without power. Travel was said to be virtually impossible in parts of the state, and the N.D. Division of Homeland Security issued a "no travel advisory."

The North Dakota National Guard assisted with aerial surveillance of power lines. Storms downed lines and poles and the state remained under a blizzard warning. It also prepared for search and rescue operations, snow removal, temporary shelter requirements and other missions, such as providing high-wheel vehicles for transportation or helping restore power, said Staff Sgt. Billie Jo Lorius, deputy public affairs officer.

The winter storm first hit the region Jan. 19.

In Arizona -- with northern counties experiencing similar storms to the Dakotas and forecasters predicting more to come midweek -- Guard members transported water and prepositioned trucks.

The Nevada National Guard sent CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to assist flooded communities around Flagstaff and northern Arizona.

The Navajo Indian Reservation was one area where Arizona officials anticipated aerial operations. Civilian media were reporting that the Navajo Nation president asked for assistance after snow trapped reservation residents in their homes. The National Guard assisted with the delivery of medicine, food, fuel and hay to isolated Navajo and Hopi lands.

Arizona Guard leaders said the operation might continue for up to two weeks.

While Guard members respond to the president for national emergencies and overseas operations, state governors call their Guard members up as needed.

(Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill writes for Army National Guard Bureau. Sgt. Monette Wesolek of the Arzona National Guard and Maj. Brendan Murphy of the South Dakota National Guard contributed to this report.)