TN National Guard heads to Florida to help with Hurricane Ian cleanup

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As Florida begins to cleanup after Hurricane Ian, the sunshine state is getting help from the Mid-South. Wednesday night, hundreds of guardsmen and women from the Tennessee National Guard started their journey to Florida. It’s unclear what exactly the members will be assisting with, but Col. Christian Cornette with the 164th Airlift Wing Division in Memphis tells FOX13 he expects his members to at least help with removing debris.

“We think a lot of debris removal, we have that capability amongst the army and the air force folks here in Tennessee. We’re really unsure until our folks get down there,” said Col. Cornette.

Even though members left Wednesday night, Col. Cornette tells FOX13 it may take a while for those service members to arrive.

“With over 1,200 people, it is a big muscle movement that we’re going through, and so it is taking time to ensure safety of our members,” said Col. Cornette.

To help other rescue crews, Col. Cornette says the Tennessee National Guard brings some of their own equipment.

“They do bring in some of our own equipment. Whether it’s army or air, they bring equipment and, in some cases, high water vehicles, dump trucks,” said Col. Cornette. “They will be able to hopefully support any needs that Florida has.”

It may seem National Guard members are always ready to respond at a moments notice. Col. Cornette tells FOX13 that’s because planning for natural disasters like Hurricane Ian begins before hurricane season starts.

“The planning for this has actually occurred on an annual basis for hurricane season amongst the states.”

Col. Cornette says he hopes his members are able to provide relief to rescue crews and he is proud of the work the men and women will be doing.

“The men and women who are mobilized to go down and meet these requirements are going down to an uncertain situation and we’re proud of what they’re willing to do and we just want them to be safe.”

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