FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Gov. Doug Ducey is ordering Arizona National Guard troops into the Flagstaff area after flash flooding from monsoon storms inundated homes in the area.
In a statement Saturday, Ducey said members of the Guard will assist with flood mitigation measures such as filling sandbags.
30 members will be on site Saturday afternoon. Another 30 members will help on Sunday and 40 will stay during the week to continue helping the effort.
Most, says Maj. Kyle Key, were only about 20 miles away, conducting annual training.
“We just rotated those soldiers over there and rerouted them to the public works building in Coconino,” Arizona National Guard spokesman Maj. Kyle Key. “They managed to pack about 5,000 bags. They put them on 65 pallets, shrink-wrapped them and prepared them for shipping.”
Major Key expects the soldiers to remain until at least Friday. He is willing to hold the part in place longer if necessary.
“We have 600,000 sandbags to fill. You know, it’s just a number. But it will be a challenge to do so. I think we are up for the challenge. It will be a lot of work. But we are looking forward to doing it,” added Major Key.
Guardsmen 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 the good thing about it. We are part of the community we serve,” Major Key added.
The governor’s office also says the Arizona Department of Corrections also has people assisting in Coconino County.
The main goal right now is to help fill sandbags, according to the governor, calling the effort “all hands on deck.”
RELATED: National Guard requested by Coconino County after flooding in burn-scarred areas
Ducey added that his office is working around the clock with local officials to get all the help Coconino County needs as soon as possible.
Allan Clark, director of the Arizona Department of Emergency Management, added that they are in constant communication with local authorities and are coordinating with Governor Ducey’s office “to ensure that residents of the north are safe.”
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