Military play huge role during Hurricane Harvey

Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-24 12:59:03|Editor: ZD
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by Robert Stanton

HOUSTON, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- As Hurricane Harvey bore down on the Texas Gulf Coast, law-enforcement and emergency personnel worked overtime to rescue stranded storm victims and protect property from looters.

The epic storm had stretched local resources, sent residents scurrying to rooftops to escape the rising floodwaters that destroyed countless homes and businesses.

Texas Gov. Rick Abbott activated 14,000 Texas National Guardsmen, and another 10,000 arrived from other states to help with the rescue and recovery effort.

About 900 Texas Guard members were mobilized before Harvey hit the Gulf Coast, and the number was increased to 3,000 when the storm arrived.

"It is imperative that we do everything possible to protect the lives and safety of people across the state of Texas as we continue to face the aftermath of this storm," the governor said.

The Air Force committed 30 aircraft to hurricane relief missions. A total of 997 airmen took part in the operations, two-thirds of which are from the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, according to an Air Force news release.

Abbott's decision to activate the entire Texas Guard followed the dire warnings from federal officials that government resources may not be enough to deal with the storm.

Harvey blew ashore on Aug. 25 as the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years, displacing more than one million and damaging some 200,000 houses in a path of destruction that stretches for more than 480 km.

Federal Emergency Management Administrator Brock Long noted that the flooding in Texas had overwhelmed the government's response and asked for citizens to get involved.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke agreed, saying that "People need help. We're deeply concerned with those in Houston."

Throughout the Houston area, citizens were already stepping in to help their flooded neighbors to safety. They went out in small boats, searching neighborhoods for people in need of assistance until the emergency responders arrived.

Given the magnitude of the hurricane, the government made a right decision to call in the National Guard, said Jim Blackburn, co-director of Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation Center from Disasters in Rice University.

"The people that were in trouble needed all the help we could bring them," he said, adding that "We did not have enough local resources to take care of that problem. It's not a fault of anybody. It's just that there are a lot of problems out there."

The government also brought in much-needed equipment that could operate in floodwaters, versus smaller vehicles that might stall out in the rising waters, Blackburn said.

"A nice thing about military equipment is that it's equipped to handle very difficult terrain," he explained, adding that "All of those military vehicles have smoke stacks on the top, so the design is just better for going through water."

"We needed air boats, the Coast Guard, and helicopters to come in with rescue. All of them were absolutely welcome," he said.

Earlier, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner imposed a nighttime curfew to deter looting. The order, which has now been lifted, worked with the mayor Tweeting "No city curfew citations or arrests for a second night in a row. Thank you Houston for your understanding and cooperation."

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