TN National Guard continues flood relief efforts in East Tennessee

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee National Guard is continuing its crisis response in the Northeast Tennessee region following devastating flooding that took place on Friday.

According to a release, Tennessee Guardsmen are providing 24-hour ground and aerial rescue and relief support to the East Tennessee area.

The National Guard said more than 50 engineers and 30 vehicles from Trenton’s 230th Engineer Battalion and Knoxville’s 134th Air Refueling Wing are assisting with debris removal in Carter, Green, Unicoi and Washington counties.

The teams are staged in Johnson City and are using bulldozers, dump trucks, chainsaws, skid steer loaders and other equipment to clear roads and critical areas. Another 50 engineers from West Tennessee are currently en route to the area to provide help.

“Our priority has been to rapidly deploy to the affected areas and assist emergency responders with rescue operations,” said Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General. “We are working with local emergency management agencies through TEMA by providing forces and support wherever needed. Our Guardsmen are prepared to help with relief efforts for as long as we are needed to ensure the safety of our fellow Tennesseans.”

Task Force 176, comprised of Guardsmen from the 176th Combat Service Support Battalion, is in Johnson City with over 30 Medium and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles to transport workers and supplies in and out of affected areas. Those vehicles can transport between 2.5 and 5 tons of supplies each, according to the release. This task force also established a supply distribution center and delivered two 400-gallon water buffalos to be used for showers and latrines.

The National Guard said these missions are coordinated through the Tennessee Military Department’s Joint Emergency Operations Center.

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