# Washington National Guard goes door-to-door, shore-to-shore in December storms

/ Published Dec. 18, 2007

TACOMA, Wash. - The National Guard conducts phone alerts regularly to make sure they can contact unit members in case of an emergency, but they usually don't call the day after drill weekend.

But that's what happened the night of Dec. 3.

Many Washington Guardmembers had just finished drill weekend when a storm rolled through western Washington dropping as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas. Massive rain, high winds and warm temperatures that melted snow in the mountains, teamed together to cause flooding and downed trees which knocked out power lines and left several southwestern Washington counties underwater or without electricity, or both.

In some areas roads were covered with water, in other areas they were covered with downed trees and branches. Power lines were damaged by falling trees while water and sewer systems were damaged by the floodwater. Local emergency responders had to get through the destruction before they could start providing help and repairing the damage.

That's where the National Guard came in.

Nearly 500 Army and Air National Guard members were activated to support county Emergency Operations Centers working to restore power and ensure safe travel around flooded roads.

The Guard mobilized with about 75 vehicles that could get through many of the flooded areas that regular vehicles could not. They established Traffic Control Points to direct traffic away from damaged or impassable roads, delivered emergency supplies including water, food and blankets and delivered generators to enable water districts and emergency shelters to continue to operate.

Guardmembers also checked on residents stranded because road access had been cut off.

"We were transported by boat from Hood Canal Marina. We launched across the canal then made our way to the roads and went door to door," said Pfc. Johnathan A. Olander, cavalry scout, C Troop, 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry. "We had five teams and each team had several miles to cover," he added.

Toward the end of the week, as the water started to recede, the temperature also started to drop.

Several of the activated Guardmembers are veterans from the Hurricane Katrina cleanup.

"First we gave directions, then MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat); now water and blankets are the priority," said Spc. John P. Myracle, cavalry scout, A Troop. "They were bringing us coffee and hot chocolate to show their appreciation. People stopped to shake our hands and say they appreciate our service both overseas and here," he added.

"The similarities were the communities coming together to help each other," said Spc. Jesse L. Thomas, cavalry scout, C Troop.

"In Katrina, we were there a month after it happened so we were doing cleanup. Here we got there right at the beginning so we were part of the initial response," said Spc. William W. Almond, cavalry scout, C Troop.

Many of these Citizen-Soldiers found a similar response.

"When we got there we found out a lot of the people had already taken care of themselves and were helping each other. They checked on each other and told us what roads were passable and which were closed. They were really helpful to us as well as each other," said Sgt. Edgar A. Gonzalez, medic, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry.

Cpl. Scott J. Nichols, cavalry scout, C Troop, said, "Some of the community members had equipment and had already started clearing roads so they could have access to help their neighbors and get to other key areas."

As power was restored to most of the effected areas and many of the water systems and sewer systems were coming back on line, the National Guard started preparing themselves to return their home stations.

"It's as hectic as ever, not that we're assisting with as many individuals, it's just as we are getting closer to winding down, we have a lot of missions to finish and all those we need to finish before the Guard leaves things to take care of before we go," said Spc. John C. McGinnis, cavalry scout, A Troop.

"Let me just say 'thank you' to our emergency responders the National Guard, I think you'll all agree, have been great," said Gov. Christine O. Gregoire at a Red Cross shelter at the Elma Fairgrounds.