As Hurricane Milton barrels towards Florida, residents brace for the storm’s impending impact. The Category 3 hurricane has already caused widespread devastation, leaving millions without power, flooding neighborhoods, collapsing infrastructure, and tragically claiming six lives. Coming on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which struck the state just weeks ago, Milton has compounded the challenges facing recovery efforts in Florida.
In response to this escalating crisis, the Georgia Army National Guard and Air National Guard are preparing to deploy significant resources to Florida to assist in the recovery operations. Brigadier General Jason Fryman of the Georgia Army National Guard confirmed that the National Guard units will focus on tasks such as debris clearing, operating Points of Distribution for food, water, and medical supplies, and providing emergency medical support.
Meanwhile, the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) remains on active duty within Georgia, continuing to perform critical missions in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. GSDF personnel are engaged in debris clearing, augmenting Emergency Operations Centers, supporting supply and logistics operations, and managing Points of Distribution to provide essential resources to impacted communities. With the Georgia National Guard deploying many of its troops to Florida, the GSDF will be relied upon even more heavily to ensure that ongoing recovery missions within Georgia are successfully completed, maintaining stability and support for local residents in need.
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Valdosta, GA – Georgia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and State Defense Force personnel continue to deliver Hurricane Helene relief supplies at points of distribution across the state. These Soldiers of the Columbus-based 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade are distributing food, water and ice in Valdosta. The Georgia National Guard has mobilized to provide response and recovery support to areas in the state impacted by Hurricane Helene. At the direction of the Governor and through Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the Georgia National Guard will continue to partner with local, state, and federal entities in this effort. Photo by Staff Sgt. Amari Johnson
Georgia National Guardsmen are actively responding to the aftermath of #HurricaneHelene across Southern Georgia. Our teams have cleared over 1,000 miles of roads, delivered more than 23,000 gallons of fuel, and transported over 32,000 pounds of essential supplies, including water, hygiene products, and food. We are also supporting 30 distribution sites and have deployed nine Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) search and rescue teams on-site. #GeorgiaGuard #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere
Source: USA Today – WSB TV 2 Atlanta – Georgia State Defense Force
* UPDATED. We confirmed with The Georgia State Defense Force that they have received no orders to deploy to Florida. We have updated the article and headline to reflect this change.
