by Army Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPN) -- National Guard members in Texas and four other states are preparing for the worst as Hurricane Ike looms just off the Gulf Coast Sept. 12.
Guard members in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri have anticipated the problems associated with heavy rain and winds and will be ready to respond, said state officials.
Heavy rains of up to 15 inches are projected for the hardest hit areas, while flooding and tornadoes are also being anticipated.
"Rain is what we're worried about," said Pat Scully, the spokesman for the Oklahoma National Guard. Much of the state is under a flood watch because forecasts indicate that a cold front from the north will join forces with the tropical storm.
"We're confident that if we are called, we'll have the personnel and equipment to handle the situation," Mr. Scully said.
The Oklahoma governor has not declared a state of emergency, but more than 1,000 Guard members are standing by as a quick reaction force, he said.
"We'll be using our quick reaction force and our follow-on force," Mr. Scully said. "After that, we'll have our on-station National Guard Soldiers ready to respond, both Army and Air Force."
The state is currently in a "planning mode," but expects to respond to missions ranging from search and rescue to delivering relief supplies.
Mr. Scully said Oklahoma has more than 2,000 Guard members available for these missions. Several units from the state are currently deployed or preparing for deployment, including the 45th Brigade Combat Team, a force of about 2,600 Soldiers, which is currently in Iraq; about 800 Soldiers from the 45th Fires Brigade, which is training at Fort Hood, Texas, for an upcoming deployment; and 300 Airmen from the 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa, which deployed to Iraq earlier this week.
Flood watches are also in effect for more than 50 counties in Arkansas.
"What Arkansas is looking at is the possibility of the after effects of the hurricane, which could bring tornadoes into the state," said Capt. Chris Heathscott, an Arkansas National Guard spokesman.
Despite the deployment of Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Iraq, Captain Heathscott said the state has about 6,000 Guardmembers available.
The Arkansas Guard has responded to many floods and tornadoes this year, so Hurricane Ike's effects are nothing new.
"2008 has been one of the heaviest years for natural disaster responses for our state," Captain Heathscott said. "It's unfortunately becoming routine business for us."
In Kansas, the Guard's concern is also flooding "and making sure people are not driving through high water and in need of rescue," said Sharon Watson, a Kansas Guard spokesperson.
About 5,000 Guard troops are available at the request of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, and 2,000 are currently on alert, she said. Six hundred of those will be well prepared for the experience, since they are returning from hurricane relief duties in Louisiana.
With experience and clear objectives, Kansas will be well prepared, Ms. Watson said.
Experience will also benefit Missouri, where 2,000 Guard members, who are also returning from relief missions in Louisiana, can be called up if needed.
The 8,000 Guard members in the state also have experience because of the Mississippi River's flooding in June.
