US

Governors Dispatch Additional National Guard Troops for Hurricane

Governors Dispatch Additional National Guard Troops for Hurricane Irene

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office has announced that the governor has deployed an additional 1,000 New York National Guard troops to assist traffic control on bridges and tunnels, sandbagging operations at the World Trade Center site, evacuation shelter operations in New York City, the construction of barriers for railway yards and train tunnels, and other emergency efforts as the state prepares for Hurricane Irene.

“It is important to take every precaution as we prepare for the impact of Hurricane Irene,” Governor Cuomo said. “I have deployed additional members of the New York National Guard to make sure the evacuation process runs smoothly and to help with the emergency response efforts.”

Governors Dispatch Additional National Guard Troops for Hurricane Irene

Kevin Flannery, of the New Jersey National Guard, keeps a tally of people that boarded buses at the Sun Center in Trenton, N.J., as officials moved them into a shelter at Rutgers University in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Irene, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The additional troops deployed this afternoon puts the total number of active New York National Guard members on active duty to 1,900. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn dispatched 160 Illinois National Guard troops this afternoon to New York to help prepare for the hurricane.

“Hurricane Irene is a serious threat to millions of people along the East Coast, and we’re prepared to provide assistance wherever needed,” Quinn said in the statement.

Illinois has also sent six UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and called in an additional 1,000 troops to report to their units to prepare for possible deployment to the East Coast as well. Quinn’s office told the Chicago Tribune that New York has agreed to reimburse Illinois for expenses related to the deployment.

Two thousand Massachusetts National Guard troops were activated Saturday, joining the 500 already deployed Friday. The Virginia National Guard said about 325 troops have gathered at various staging areas in the state. The governor of Pennsylvania has sent 1,750 National Guard members to help in flood-prone areas.

Irene has weakened slightly, with sustained winds down to 85 mph from about 100 a day earlier, making it a Category 1, the least threatening on the scale. The National Hurricane Center reported gusts of 115 mph and waves as high as 7 feet.

In an unprecedented move, more 370,000 people in flood-prone areas of New York City were told to get out ahead of the storm. There was no specific number on how many people had followed the order, but only 1,400 people were staying in city shelters. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said by some building estimates, between 50 to 80 percent of people had left.

In expectation of Irene, the nation’s largest subway system shut down, and Broadway shows and sporting events were also canceled. New York City businesses were closed and subway riders raced to catch the last trains.

Mayor Boomberg said there would be no effect on the Sept. 11 memorial opening the day after the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Comments (47)

  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on August 28, 2011 at 6:36pm

    This was an ‘obama hurricane’. A lot of hot air blowing and a lot of hype…but no substance; just like the Kenyan president we have. Like NYC too.

    Report Post »  
  • libertytreecaretaker
    Posted on August 28, 2011 at 4:13pm

    Bloomberg makes me sick! He speaks as if every square inch of New York belongs to him. I will enter and exit MY property when I god dam please! The only way for us to bring these ego maniacs down from there high horses is for all the remaining tax payers to leave New York and watch a completely dependancy based society colapse into a ghost town. Then the only thing he has power over is a heaping pill of crap stacked 6 feet high in the city streets.

    Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 11:39pm

    I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop with the larger earthquake as a follow up. Its either a lesser or greater one than the initial like Japans initial 7.2 then a few days later the 9.0. Just saying from experience here in Socal.

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:55pm

    Well if he is going to do all that dispatching I hope he gets a big storm.

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
    • snuss
      Posted on August 28, 2011 at 12:15am

      All this hoopla for a 35mph tropical storm New York is phony, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is a phony and it goes without saying Borock Hussein Obama is a phony.

      This whole thing is to ridiculous to have been made up.

      NOAA’s Phony “Hurricane” Coming On Shore With 33 MPH Winds
      http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2…-33-mph-winds/

      NOAA claims the winds are 85 MPH, but none of the Weather Underground stations in the area report higher than 33 MPH winds. By definition, this is not a hurricane – and is just barely a tropical storm.

      Obama takes charge at hurricane command center
      http://news.yahoo.com/obama-takes-ch…172139005.html

      US President Barack Obama warned the US east coast was in for a “long 72 hours” as he led his government’s response to Hurricane Irene at a disaster command center in Washington.

      Obama on Saturday chaired a meeting at the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) set up at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) headquarters in Washington, which is marshaling federal and local hurricane-relief efforts.

      Report Post »  
  • Carol Ingian
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:45pm

    Two guesses who will be the “hero” when the storm subsides….
    Hmmm… Obama?

    Report Post »  
    • cykoaudio
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:32pm

      THATS WHY Obama went on photo op/press conf. RIGHT AWAY-knowing it would be easy responsibility but make it look hard-went from 100mph 2days ago,hit land at 80,down to 70 in Virginia & will be a rainy London afternoon by the time it hits NY-so when it turns out to be WAAAY over hyped,Obama can claim the credit for doing such a good job(yea,your such a good president you,awww,he’s wagging his tail),organizing Fema(even though Illinois gov. is the one who stepped up).- & Obama& NY state gov. Cuomo can PAT THEMSELVES ON THE BACK IN LIGHT OF HIS RECENT CAMPAIGN FOR RE ELECTION.-this prez has no shame-.he will use ANY situation/crisis to get a photo op or press conf. to make himself look good,its disgraceful-but we in NY are joking about the Nat’l Panic Hurricane Center,& all the dumbarses immediately going shopping for a garage full of food,like a dog performing pavlovian response, as soon as any mention of the word hurricane presents itself. To top things off,here in long island they’ve hyped such a mild storm, &throw the word “evacuate” around will nilly,but w/o organized evacuation plan-so as to make look apocalyptic -200mph winds & category 17 hurricane,& ppl are starting to realize here they feel dumb for shopping so much & leaving town,cuz we now know by NY/LI winds will be down to a mild 50-60mph,70 max..funny article on why the media slant of panic/paranoia by media/prez-
      http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/37574/hellstorm-will-destroy-manhattan/

      Report Post » cykoaudio  
    • the hawk
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:34pm

      Do not give up your guns this time !

      Report Post »  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:46pm

      Cuomo is very wrinkley!!! Is that a word?

      Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 11:32pm

      I could see by early this morning this thing was being waaaayyy over hyped and still hyped as it was slowing. The fear mongering by the press was out of this world. Now BHO will claim that since the losses were minimal that his early responses were the reason. NAWWW! The storm is just a mild follow up warning after a 5.8 quake that you had better watch your step buddy regarding Israel. America is on notice people and I really hope that some feel moved to fear God and respect his awesome power and not raise up BHO anymore. Its time to repent and get to know God and his ways and turn from our own lusts and desires for good and righteous living.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on August 28, 2011 at 11:03am

      {laughing} Do you think he is positively livid??? The Earthquake wasn’t much. The Hurricane wasn’t much. {Apologies and prayers for those who have died from the storm, but the scope of gov’t involvment in this is beyond Nanny State}. Poor Poor Obama just can’t seem to get a break.
      The American Public realizes that The Navy Seals actually are the ones who took care of the Somali Pirates and Osama.
      The American Public realizes that some Governors are more active in protecting their National/State Borders than our President.
      and…The American Public realizes that the National Guard is being called in to protect the property of all those who heeded the evacuation orders because we know we are but one ‘crisis’ away from being Greece/Spain/France/England/Egypt/the entire Middle East because the powder keg known as “entitled” is restless.

      (Clarification-Sympathy & prayers for the families of those killed during this storm-but the Heart Attack Deaths ? the surfer guy…that one is a prime example of natural selection)

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • IslandMama
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:23pm

    I’ve seen a lot of people commenting here about the wind speed and not understanding the difference between the wind speed/gusts and the speed with which the storm is moving forward. The storm is a slow moving storm, but the force of its winds are very powerful. It moves forward slowly, but it spins and wreaks havoc fast. I live in the Virgin Islands and it basically turned into a hurricane right over my house – even with 70 mph gusts, let me tell you, it was bad. I hope the people along the Eastern seaboard are prepared. Don’t take it lightly. Even if it is downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, there is little difference when you’re on the ground between that and a Cat 1 hurricane. At my house, when winds were 70 mph, it was called a tropical storm, but that’s only a 3 mph difference from a Cat 1 hurricane. Symantics. Board up, evacuate if asked to, hunker down, have water and food and fuel on hand. Always better to be safe than sorry. God be with you East Coast people.

    Report Post »  
  • wampanoag
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:13pm

    Any iidea how much business was lost through the panic created by the media and politicians oover this tropical storm?

    Report Post »  
  • wampanoag
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:11pm

    Its going to be a tropical storm.

    Report Post »  
  • Anarcho Capitalist
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:09pm

    why would you stand in front of troops like a 3rd world dictator?

    O ya…

    Report Post » Anarcho Capitalist  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:45pm

    I see you are back to posting extremely racist things again and trying to give us Glenn Beck fans a bad rap. Please go back to watching and posting at MSNBC.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:41pm

    What we need is a hurricane on our Southern Border. Then they might send the National Guard down there. Wait a minute… couldn’t we classify the “flood” of illegal immigrants as a “storm surge”? Where’s Cass Sunstein when we need him? Hurricane Manuel perhaps?

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • truthseekerusa
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:54pm

    More than 1 million people without electricity. Dangerous for those using medical devices for breathing, etc., that use electricity unless they have already been evacuated.

    Report Post »  
    • Carol Ingian
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 8:39pm

      Yes. Hospitals and nursing homes usually have generators, and some shelters might too.

      Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 11:34pm

      There probably using this as an excuse to cut the power for some well needed maintenance they could not get ot otherwise.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • ZaphodsPlanet
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:37pm

    STOP THE INSANITY PEOPLE.

    Just looked at some weather station wind speed readouts next to what is supposed to be the eye of this freaking rainstorm. Guess what it read…… sit down since I don’t ever think such a high wind speed has ever been recorded….. 8…MPH…. yes… that’s right, EIGHT FREAKING MILES PER HOUR. This is a total Sham. Check this post out.

    BTW…. this site is going to hell in a hand basket with this kind of crap. The Blaze… MSM Jr.

    http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/noaas-phony-hurricane-coming-on-shore-with-33-mph-winds/

    Report Post » ZaphodsPlanet  
    • becker88
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:50pm

      I don’t think there will be much.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos

      Report Post »  
    • ApokTheGreat
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:50pm

      to quoth Shakespeare:
      “Much ado about hype”

      Report Post » ApokTheGreat  
    • RON-BLAZE
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:07pm

      I dont know bud, I’m in South Jersey, and the wind gust already exceeding 20MPH. The last time Jersey was hit with a hurricane was 1903. So I don’t think people understand the severity of whats coming. In Jersey we have experienced Tropical storms, but nothing like this. Im hoping for the best, and I’m prepared for the worst.

      Report Post » RON-BLAZE  
  • rightwinglefty
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:23pm

    There was looting in New York when only the electricity went out. Some people are waiting for any excuse to loot and steal. Wait until the government goes broke and there is no more welfare or food stamps or social security or disability or any other government program including veteran benefits. There will be no money for methadone or needles or medical marijuana. The “zombies” will all come out and not even the National Guard or UN peacekeepers will be able to stop them.

    Report Post » rightwinglefty  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 11:37pm

      That won’t happen that way. The government will come in and hand deliver water and MRE’s, tents, blankets and medicines. While they are munching down, they’ll be encircled with barbwire.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • AmeriCat
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:14pm

    Hype…panic…more hype!
    Let’s send all these National Guard to where they are REALLY needed…

    …to our southern border! Arizona, New Mexico, Texas….send our forces there!

    And how about Texas….when they needed help with the wildfires?
    And how about the Mississippi/Tennessee/Missouri river valleys…
    ….after the devastating floods since he took office?
    And how about the San Joaquin valley, “Breadbasket of the World,”
    ….to which until just recently, the Liberals denied water! and created cracked barren land?
    And how about Joplin….where FEMA REFUSED requisitions for help?

    No…No…those places are devastated enough to warrant help…said the WH.
    And now…with mere Santa Anna force winds, some expected flooding and power outages….
    The East Coast has a mandatory shut down and National Guard move in…
    Is this a seige…or what?

    Report Post »  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:18pm

      @AmeriCat

      Well said.

      Report Post »  
    • anotherGlen
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:11pm

      No doubt that the east coast will need help, especially if the storm is what they say it is. And you are right that it seems that certain areas get help before others, and more than others. This all started before the civil war, and the industrial north trying to get control of a basically agricultural country. The East Coast Mob has ruled the entire US ever since. California is basically a separate country too. So if something occurs in flyover territoriality, then it is interesting, but doesn’t matter. The Pols check the map and the electoral count, and go back to their golf match.

      Report Post » anotherGlen  
    • GBMBulletsSKNRD
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:20pm

      Spot on and right to the point.

      Report Post »  
    • USLibertyNow
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 9:30pm

      Selective assistance at it’s finest. If you‘re red we’ll give you up for dead. If you‘re blue we’ll be there for you.

      Report Post » USLibertyNow  
  • wampanoag
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:14pm

    This is an Obamacaine. An excuse to call out the national guards for show. It aint no hurricaine. Bloomberg was svckered and NYC lost 1 billion dollars in business. Fools. A nation of fools.

    Report Post »  
  • Bonnieblue2A
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:54pm

    Anyone think this administration is practicing for either another staged terror attack or trying to find out how easily they can herd the sheeple in a declaration of marshal law? Why else deploy the national guard for a tropical storm? We have become a militarized police state.

    Report Post »  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:01pm

      Another staged terror attack? When did the “other” one happen?

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:06pm

      Because the national guard is often used to stop looting in emergency’s.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • let us prey
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 6:16pm

      republicorp
      They fell short on sending help to many tornado ravaged areas this year. Many places were heavily looted and the citizens were helpless.

      Report Post » let us prey  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 7:47pm

      LET US PREY Did they call in the national guard to stop looting or did the call in engineers? Combat engineers wouldn’t be there to stop looting. I know this for a fact being a Army engineer

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • let us prey
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:52pm

    Cuomo has been sand bagging it for years. Cuomo is a corrupt, lying, grandstanding jack wagon.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • IMPrepared
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:50pm

    Cat Folk Bro,

    Nah, I’d rather watch it unfold…
    It won’t happen on MY acre!

    Report Post » IMPrepared  
  • Vickie Dhaene
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:47pm

    I prepare every June 1 for hurricane season here in Florida. the most important thing to do is PREPARE hint:

    Report Post »  
  • shirelover
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:38pm

    I am glad that the storm is slowing down, the only problem with that is what we‘ve had down in the Gulf Coast every time there’s a storm. People say, “oh that wasn’t so bad” then they don’t evacuate next time and then they die!

    Report Post » shirelover  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:33pm

    Anyone want to anticipate what will happen to New York City in the next day or two?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • starboard
      Posted on August 27, 2011 at 5:47pm

      Prediction, you heard it here first, them that evacuate New York City will lose a lot to them that stay.

      Report Post » starboard  

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