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Hospital Floods
Story and Photos by Master Sgt. Scott Hardesty
Posted June 10, 2008
And the rain
came pouring down.
The city
of
Columbus,
Ind.,
received more than eight inches of rain in such a short time period
that it caused record flooding. The residents were sent scrambling
to higher ground.
The rain
also caused the 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group of the West
Virginia National Guard to be stranded in the parking lot of a local
business in
Columbus,
Ind.
The Soldiers were traveling to Camp
Atterbury
Joint
Maneuver
Training
Center
for annual training.
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Spc. Canaday
with the West Virginia National Guard 2nd Battalion, 19th
Special Forces Group, help patients from the Columbus
Regional
Hospital
onto a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle to transport the
patients to safety. Flooding required evacuation of the
Hospital June 8, 2008. Photo by Master Sgt. Scott Hardesty,
Indiana
National Guard
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After it
was discovered that the Soldiers were available, they were asked to
assist the Columbus Police Department. The Special Forces Group
utilized their Light Medium Tactical Vehicle to move equipment from
the hospital to a fire station.
The West
Virginia National Guardsman worked alongside Company C, 2nd
Battalion, 152nd Reconnaissance and Surveillance Soldiers from the
Indiana National Guard to evacuate patients, workers and equipment
from the Columbus Regional
Hospital.
A total of 256 patients and workers were moved out of the flood
waters.
“Our
primary mission was to react to flooding at the Columbus Regional
Hospital,”
said Capt. Andy Weaver, commander of Company C. “We were to work
with the hospital management, local law enforcement and fire
officials.”
The flood
water was supposed to rise more than ten feet before morning. The
mission was critical to move patients and equipment before the water
became too high. Capt. Weaver stated, “All patients have been
evacuated. We are now securing a perimeter.
The mission went smoothly.”
Following the
evacuation, the unit was tasked to perform area security in
conjunction with local law enforcement. The Soldiers have been
assisting law enforcement since Saturday, June 7.
“We are
here for the citizens of Indiana.
Even though some of our Soldiers have been affected by the flooding,
they are here helping out the community. This is where they feel
like they should be,” said Weaver.
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