Louisiana National Guardsmen from the 2-108th Cavalry Regiment in Shreveport, La., drop off evacuees at a collection point set up at Parkway High School in Bossier City, La., during flood response operations, March 9, 2016. (U.S. Army National Guard ...

Louisiana National Guardsmen from the 2-108th Cavalry Regiment in Shreveport, La., drop off evacuees at a collection point set up at Parkway High School in Bossier City, La., during flood response operations, March 9, 2016. (U.S. Army National Guard ...

PINEVILLE, La. -- The Louisiana National Guard, as directed by Governor John Bel Edwards, has deployed Soldiers and equipment to Bossier, Webster and Caddo Parishes to assist local agencies in response to significant flooding due to heavy rain in the northwest part of the state Wednesday.

Early Wednesday, four high-water vehicles and eight Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment in Shreveport, began conducting operations in Bossier Parish. An additional 16 Soldiers and eight high-water vehicles are beginning operations in the three affected parishes.

The LANG has been authorized to activate up to 200 Guard members as needed to respond to flooding, as well as utilizing existing full-time Guard members. These operations could include evacuations, search and rescue, distribution and supply of water and meals, security and shelter support, and distribution of sandbags and sandbag-filling machines.

The LANG has begun prepping another 36 high-water vehicles and 16 boats in an effort to quickly respond if needed.

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.