Florida, Alabama National Guard mobilize for hurricane response

ARLINGTON, Va. — As floodwaters surged near an Interstate 10 off-ramp outside Tallahassee, a Florida National Guard convoy spotted a pickup truck beginn… 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