FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Gov. Doug Ducey is ordering Arizona National Guard troops to arrive in the Flagstaff area after sudden flooding from monsoon storms flooded homes in the area.
In a statement Saturday, Ducey said members of the guard will help with flood mitigation measures such as filling sandbags.
30 members will be on the ground on Saturday afternoon. 30 more members will attend on Sunday and 40 will stay all week to continue helping efforts.
Most, says Major Kyle Key, were just 20 miles away doing annual training.
“We just turned those soldiers over there and redirected them to the Coconino Public Works building,” Arizona National Guard spokesman Major Kyle Key said. “They managed to wrap about 5,000 bags. They put them in 65 pallets, packed them and prepared them for transport.”
Commander Key expects the soldiers to stay at least until Friday. You are prepared to keep the detail in place longer if necessary.
“We have 600,000 bags of sand to fill. You know, it’s just a figure. But, it will be a challenge to get it. I think we are ready for the challenge. It will be a lot of work. But, we are eager to do it,” he said. add Major Key.
The guards working in Flagstaff are from all over the state, but some know the Flagstaff community quite well.
“There are some who are from this area. (The National Guard). That’s what’s nice about it. We’re part of the community we serve,” Major Key added.
The governor’s office also says the Arizona Department of Corrections also has people helping Coconino County.
The main goal right now is to help fill the sandbags, according to the governor, who described it as an effort “from all hands on deck.”
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Ducey added that his office works 24 hours a day with local officials to get all the help needed in Coconino County as soon as possible.
Allen Clark, director of Arizona’s Emergency Management Division, added that they are in constant communication with local officials and are coordinating with Governor Ducey’s office “to ensure residents in the north are safe.”