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National Guard units prepare for 2019 hurricane season with emphasis on response times

A search and rescue team with the Florida National Guard wades into areas in St. Augustine, Florida, affected by Hurricane Matthew to assist with disaster relief efforts. (Photo: Florida National Guard)

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The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on Saturday, June 1st, and already the season’s first named storm has formed. Subtropical Storm Andrea developed near Bermuda, and one report from CNN indicates the United States could experience between four–to–eight hurricanes this year.

The country has faced devastating hurricane seasons in the past several years, and although experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration claim the 2019 season will most likely be closer to a “normal” season, commanders of National Guard units are already working to improve readiness.

“These are catastrophic weather events that we take very seriously,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Burkett, vice director of domestic operations at the National Guard Bureau (NGB), in a press release. “We stand ready to respond if so called.”

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Comments

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  • Avatar
    Alan t

    YES

  • Avatar
    Mason

    Good to hear, I was unaware that they still have defense duties and can get called up, on top of domestic duties they perform. Hats off, glad we have out National Guard.

  • Avatar
    Skip M

    Let me just steal some space here and say “I Sure Miss the Heck out of GEO !!!”