South Carolina, Florida Guard Prepare for Hurricane Matthew by Army Sgt. Tashera Pravato

As Hurricane Matthew barrels toward the southeastern United States today, additional National Guard members in South Carolina and Florida are assisting in disaster-relief preparations and plans for recovery.

South Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated Oct. 4 following the state of emergency declared by Gov. Nikki Haley.

South Carolina had more than 1,900 Guard personnel on duty as of this morning, according to figures compiled by the National Guard Bureau.

Powerful Storm

Hurricane Matthew, which had sustained winds of 125 mph overnight, took lives and damaged infrastructure in the Caribbean.

The unpredictable storm was projected to move along the coast of Florida and South Carolina, with uncertainty as to when it would make landfall. Weather forecasters predicted conditions along the coast would begin deteriorating beginning tomorrow, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced that 1.5 million residents have been ordered to evacuate.

“The South Carolina National Guard is ready to assist first responders with evacuations, and any resources and equipment needed to assist in response to Hurricane Matthew,” said Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston Jr., the adjutant general for South Carolina.

Activation of Guard Forces

On the first day of activation, about 1,460 South Carolina Guard members were assisting first responders with aerial reconnaissance and traffic control points. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said its officers were manning nearly 700 checkpoints.

It is estimated that numbers of National Guard troops put into action could go as high as 2,000, depending on Matthew’s path. Guard units activated include military police, transportation, engineers, general purpose and aviation. Two UH-72 Lakota helicopters and CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the South Carolina National Guard’s Donaldson Facility in Greenville were flown to Columbia to assist with reconnaissance for highway patrolmen and the coastal evacuation of 1.1 million residents.

“As South Carolinians, we are strong and we are resilient. Now is the time to finalize your preparations, especially if you live along the coast,” Livingston said. “Please review your family communication plans, and be ready if your zone is notified for evacuation.”

“We’ve been through winter storms; we’ve been through the 1,000-year flood,” Haley said. “Hurricanes are very different, and these storm surges are to be taken very seriously. We are strong and I am proud of Team South Carolina. I know we are ready.”

Providing Support

The Florida National Guard has about 1,500 soldiers and airmen to provide support in such areas as search and rescue, reconnaissance, high-wheeled vehicle and security capabilities as well as planners, county liaison officers, command and control and logistics support, officials said.

North Carolina media reports that at least 180 Guard members are ready if the storm heads toward their state.

“Many Guardsmen have been through natural disasters and know what it can do to families and neighborhoods,” said Army Lt. Col. Matthew Devivo, with the North Carolina National Guard.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Steve Marshall of the National Guard Bureau and the Florida National Guard contributed to this article.