Tropical Storm Debby has wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, unleashing torrential rain, tornadoes, and destructive flooding. Making its second U.S. landfall early Thursday in South Carolina, the storm has caused significant devastation. One person is missing after a tornado damaged homes and a school in North Carolina, where a rare flash flood emergency has been issued. Since crashing into Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, Debby has dumped more than a foot of rain over parts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and has killed at least five people. The storm has engorged rivers, flooded roadways, and trapped people in cars, homes, and boats. As Debby marches northward, it threatens to drench several already-soaked states, complicating recovery efforts with potentially dangerous heat.
In Georgia and South Carolina, the situation remains dire. Savannah has received 8.51 inches of rain within 24 hours, surpassing the monthly average and straining emergency services. Similarly, Charleston, South Carolina, has experienced over 7.57 inches of rain, with storm totals expected to reach up to 25 inches. The flooding has overwhelmed local drainage systems, leading to road closures and emergency measures. Berkeley County in South Carolina has opened emergency shelters in anticipation of worsening conditions, and local authorities are on high alert. Savannah’s emergency responders have conducted multiple water rescues, and both states are preparing for continued severe weather and potential evacuations.
In response to the disaster, the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) and the South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) have mobilized and activated their troops. StateDefenseForce.com has confirmed that both organizations have deployed troops to perform various missions in their states.
GSDF troops have been deployed, with one of their primary missions being to assist at The Georgia National Guard Joint Operations Center. This operations center, located in Marietta, Georgia, has been busy over the past 72 hours preparing to support state and local authorities in response to Tropical Storm Debby. The center is staffed by members of both the Army, Air National Guard, and The Georgia State Defense Force. Their presence underscores their integral role in the state’s emergency response framework.
Additionally, the Virginia National Guard (VNG) and the Virginia Defense Force (VDF) have been activated to respond to the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby. The VNG has staged soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high water transportation at facilities in Lynchburg, Danville, and Petersburg, ready to conduct missions and provide assistance in collaboration with local emergency managers.
“With just over 24 hours notice, our Virginia National Guard Soldiers answered the call to be ready to help their fellow Virginians,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, Virginia National Guard director of the joint staff. “It is really impressive how quickly and safely they responded, and we owe a special thanks to their families and employers for their critical support. I am incredibly proud of the great team effort that went into getting everyone in place and ready to go before the weather impacts begin.”
The Virginia Defense Force will support logistics, administrative, operations center, and public information efforts at multiple locations. Typical missions during hurricane or tropical storm response operations include transporting first responders, distributing food and water to citizens in remote areas, and providing chain saw teams to help clear debris.
The coordinated efforts of these state defense forces are crucial as Tropical Storm Debby continues to pose a significant threat to the southeastern United States and beyond. Their preparedness and rapid mobilization demonstrate the vital role these organizations play in disaster response, ensuring the safety and well-being of affected communities. As Debby moves along its projected path, the resilience and readiness of the Georgia State Defense Force, the South Carolina State Guard, and the Virginia Defense Force will be instrumental in mitigating the storm’s impact and providing much-needed aid to those in need.
The Georgia National Guard Joint Operations Center has been busy over the past 72 hours preparing to support state and local authorities in response to #TropicalStormDebby. This operations center is staffed by members of both the Army and Air National Guard, as well as the all-volunteer Georgia State Defense Force.
The Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) serves, alongside the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard, in the Georgia National Guard Joint Operations Center, Marietta, Ga., Aug. 7, 2024.
The GSDF is a component of the Georgia Department of Defense, along with the Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia Army National Guard.
VNG staged, ready in Lynchburg, Danville, Petersburg for possible severe weather response operations
By Cotton Puryear | Virginia National Guard Public Affairs
RICHMOND, Va. –
The Virginia National Guard has staged Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high water transportation Aug. 8, 2024, at VNG facilities in Lynchburg, Danville and Petersburg in order to support the response to impacts of Tropical Storm Debby. The personnel will be ready conduct missions Thursday morning and will link up with local emergency managers to provide assistance if needed. VNG troops will also have chain saw teams to conduct debris reduction operations, and helicopter rescue hoist capabilities are also on standby.
“With just over 24 hours notice, our Virginia National Guard Soldiers answered the call to be ready to help their fellow Virginians,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Hubbard, Virginia National Guard director of the joint staff. “It is really impressive how quickly and safely they responded, and we owe a special thanks to their families and employers for their critical support. I am incredibly proud of the great team effort that went into getting everyone in place and ready to go before the weather impacts begin.”
Hubbard said VNG planners have been in close contact with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management over the last few days to determine what capabilities would be helpful and where it would be best to locate them.
“Our partners in state and local government count on the VNG to provide additional capabilities to help make sure the appropriate resources are available for the weather response,” Hubbard said. “Once again, our troops have proven they live up to the “Always ready, always there’ motto of the National Guard,” Hubbard said.
The VNG alerted approximately 130 personnel Aug. 6, 2024. In addition to the troops ready for high water transportation and debris reduction missions, Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force will provide logistics, administrative, operations center and public information support at multiple locations.
Typical missions for the VNG during hurricane or tropical storm response operations are transporting first responders or distributing food and water to citizens in remote areas using tactical trucks capable of moving through high water as well as providing chain saw teams to help reduce debris to clear roads or power line routes.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s emergency declaration authorized the VNG to bring personnel on state active duty to support state and local authorities in advance of possible severe weather.
During domestic operations, the VNG receives missions from VDEM and responds as part of a multi-agency team with other state and local agencies to provide support capabilities requests by Virginia communities. VDEM determines where capabilities are allocated, and the VNG does not respond to direct requests for assistance.
Localities looking for VNG support should make their requests to VDEM, and they determine which organization can best provide the requested assistance as they coordinate the regional and statewide response.
The VNG most recently supported emergency response operations during wildfires in Madison County in November 2023, with approximately 30 Guardsman assisting the Virginia Department of Forestry on the ground, while VNG aviation crews supported firefighting efforts in Patrick and Madison Counties. In September 2023, the VNG staged approximately 35 Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high water transportation at facilities in the Hampton Roads area in order to support the response to impacts of Tropical Storm Ophelia.
