Florida, Alabama National Guard support Isaias response and recovery efforts

ARLINGTON, Va. - As floodwaters surged near an Interstate 10 off-ramp outside Tallahassee, a Florida National Guard convoy spotted a pickup truck beginning to sink. Inside, a family was trapped. The Soldiers stopped, helped the occupants escape, called 911 and remained at the scene until law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel arrived.

The rescue was among more than 100 missions completed by Florida Guard members during the ongoing Hurricane Isaias response that began Oct. 6.

Florida and Alabama National Guard members supported response and recovery operations across the region, clearing roads, removing debris, delivering emergency supplies and assisting storm-affected communities. At the height of the response, more than 5,000 Guard members were activated to support communities across the affected region. The storm left approximately 800,000 residents without power.

"Our Soldiers and Airmen live and work in the communities they serve," said Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau. "When those communities face their toughest moments, our Guard members bring their training, experience, and commitment to service to help protect lives and support recovery."

Within 36 hours of the storm's impact, the Florida National Guard moved thousands of Soldiers and Airmen to the Florida Panhandle, positioning personnel and equipment to support response operations across 16 affected counties. They also assisted isolated residents as flooding worsened near the Shoal River.

"Speed to need is our mantra," said U.S. Army Col. Blake Heidelberg, joint director of military support for the Florida National Guard. "We alert, mobilize and deploy to ensure our forces are staged in or near communities before the full impact of the hurricane."

Those missions included nearly 5,000 Florida Guard members clearing 4,000 miles of essential roadways, removing more than 12,500 cubic yards of debris and restoring access to storm-affected communities. Aircrews flying four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters supported damage assessments and transported response teams to areas inaccessible by standard vehicles.

"Beyond the statistics, you've made a meaningful impact on the lives of Floridians. Behind every cleared road and delivery of supplies were Guardsmen dedicated to helping their neighbors," said Maj. Gen. John Haas, the adjutant general of Florida, in a message to Florida Guard members.

In Alabama, the National Guard activated approximately 500 Soldiers and positioned them across southern Alabama to support storm preparations in coordination with local emergency management agencies. Most Soldiers remained on standby, while others assisted with debris clearance.

Although Alabama experienced less severe weather than anticipated, prepositioning personnel and equipment enabled the Guard to respond quickly if conditions worsened.

Should additional out-of-state support be required, emergency management officials can use the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, or EMAC. This state-to-state mutual aid system allows governors to share personnel, equipment, commodities and services during governor-declared emergencies or disasters. EMAC provides a framework for states to request, coordinate and reimburse assistance across state lines.

"Our primary mission is to support the state's overall effort, which is coordinated out of the State Emergency Operations Center," Heidelberg said. "While we are always in a supporting role to local authorities, we provide aviation support for search and rescue and damage assessment, tactical vehicles for ground transportation and search and rescue, and debris removal and road clearance capabilities."

Guard members also coordinated with other Department of War organizations supporting storm preparedness. The Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing relocated aircraft and continued weather reconnaissance flights, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District managed Cumberland River Basin reservoirs and monitored flood risks.

"When disaster strikes, our National Guard members are among the first to answer the call. They step forward because the people in need are their neighbors, friends, and family," Raines added.