More than 1,300 Guard members respond to flooding throughout East Coast

ARLINGTON, Va. – Roughly 1,300 Guard members in three states are on duty responding to severe flooding as a result of heavy rainfall from Hurricane Joaquin.

In Virginia, which has seen severe flooding over the past week, Guard members have been providing high water rescue support, chainsaw teams to clear debris and transportation and distribution of water to those in the affected area. Guard members in the Carolinas have been transporting sandbags and other equipment while standing by for other missions, such as logistics or high water rescue support requests. While much of the focus is on coastal areas, other parts of the Carolinas may be affected as well in the coming days, said weather officials, adding that flooding may cause landslides in western parts of North Carolina.

Meanwhile in Maryland, Guard members have been staging along coastal areas, such as Ocean City, with medium tactical vehicles to assist with evacuation of the area. In nearby Delaware, water tankers and other equipment has been staged as well.

Members of the New York Guard have been busy clearing debris in Albany and other areas throughout the state.

Continued rain could lead to additional flooding in the affected areas and Guard members could be called upon to perform additional high water rescue missions, provide air support, health and welfare checks, transportation and distribution of critical supplies and a variety of other mission sets.

Story Courtesy National Guard Bureau