New York Guard Members Battle Mohawk Valley Flooding

National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va., July 3, 2013 – New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday deployed 250 National Guard members to aid residents and businesses impacted by recent heavy rains and severe flooding in the state’s Mohawk Valley region.

New York Army National Guard soldiers Staff Sgt. Gary Matt, from the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, and Staff Sgt. Joe Bolton, from the 206th Military Police Company, tow a surplus Humvee vehicle used by the village of Mohawk in New York as a rescue vehicle out of a garage where it was submerged in five feet of water. Photo by Bill Albrecht, New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Guard members along with 27 pieces of heavy equipment will work in flood-impacted areas to help with debris removal and security.

 

“The state is using every resource at its disposal to help New Yorkers impacted by these devastating floods,” said Cuomo, noting the state’s National Guard members will “provide immediate aid and assistance on the ground in those communities hardest hit.”

National Guard members deployed to the Mohawk Valley will assist residents, businesses and local first responders in various ways, officials said.

Guard members, including dozens of engineers, will help local personnel with debris removal and road repairs using heavy equipment including excavators, dump trucks and bulldozers.

Thirty five military police and Humvee vehicles will assist local police forces with security and presence patrols.

These New York National Guard members are stationed in the Southern Tier and Capital Region areas and have been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and also have helped New Yorkers impacted by past hurricanes and tropical storms including Irene, Lee and Superstorm Sandy.