National Guard and Emergency Organizations Unite to Provide Relief After Hurricane Katrina

Strategic Insights -

As Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, leaving a trail of destruction and flooding in its wake, the National Guard units, federal, state, and private organizations joined forces to provide relief to the affected areas. The American Red Cross launched one of the largest emergency operations in its history, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had already positioned disaster medical assistance teams and search and rescue teams around the region, as well as delivered essential supplies and equipment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 5,000 National Guard troops were called up to assist in relief operations, with tens of thousands more on standby as the extent of the damage becomes clear.
  • Many of the mobilized troops had recently returned from overseas combat zones, with some units from Alabama and Mississippi having served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
  • The National Guard units were joined by thousands of volunteers and public workers in one of the largest emergency mobilization efforts in recent years.
  • The American Red Cross had opened 239 shelters and sent 166 emergency response vehicles to the affected area, with thousands of volunteers deployed.
  • Relief agencies, including the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Fund and Spirit of America, had prepared over half a million hot meals for evacuees.
  • FEMA had positioned 23 disaster medical assistance teams and seven search and rescue teams around the region, with 500 truckloads of ice, 500 of water, and 350 of meals available to distribute over the next 10 days.
  • The Alabama contingent of the National Guard included military police, engineers, and Special Forces who had all recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Statistics:

  • 5,000 National Guard troops were called up to assist in relief operations.
  • 3,500 Louisiana National Guard troops were on active duty to help with housing, security, power generation, food distribution, and debris removal.
  • 6,500 more Louisiana National Guard troops were available.
  • Mississippi called up 850 National Guard troops.
  • Alabama mobilized more than 1,500 National Guard troops.
  • The American Red Cross had spent roughly $130 million on hurricane relief programs last year.
  • The agency had prepared over 500,000 hot meals for evacuees.
  • FEMA had 500 truckloads of ice, 500 of water, and 350 of meals available to distribute over the next 10 days.

Sources:

  • (headline article, no date)
  • Mark Smith, Chief Information Officer for the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, quoted in the article.
  • Renita Hosler, American Red Cross spokeswoman, quoted in the article.
  • Michael D. Brown, FEMA Director, quoted in the article.
  • Lt. Col. Robert Horton, Alabama National Guard, quoted in the article.