Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders mobilized to state active duty four high-water teams and more than 40 Arkansas National Guardsmen in Northeast Arkansas to assist local authorities evacuate flooded areas from anticipated heavy rains.
“The anticipated rainfall amount can prove to be challenging,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “In supporting the Governor’s direction, the Arkansas National Guard will assist local authorities and help Arkansans get through this. We will use high-water teams where needed to meet mission requirements. We are focused on supporting Arkansans.”
Each high-water team consists of three light medium tactical vehicles, which is a 2.5-ton, four-wheel drive, cargo and troop transporter; a Humvee, and nine Guardsmen. Each LMTV can carry up to 16 passengers in the cargo compartment.
The 875th Engineer Battalion in Jonesboro, Ark., will provide three high-water teams. The 224th Maintenance Company in Mountain Home, Ark., will provide one high-water team.
In addition to the 36 Guardsmen on the ground, liaison officers at the unit level, Joint Operations Center and a public affairs team will round out support at a total of 42 Guardsmen.
The Arkansas National Guard assumes support roles to augment civil authorities, where needed and directed by the Governor, to help in a crisis.