At least 7,400 National Guard troops are helping with the recovery effort in 11 states after Superstorm Sandy slammed into the East Coast yesterday, leaving a path of destruction and flooding in its wake.
The Guard members are assisting FEMA - according to the American Forces Press Service - by clearing blocked roadways and helping with search and rescue efforts. The National Guard is also equipped to deliver essential supplies to areas in need.
The California Air National Guard deployed about 100 members of its 129th Rescue Wing, based at Moffett Field in the San Francisco Bay Area, to the East Coast. Spokesman Capt. Donald LeBlanc told the San Francisco Chronicle:
"Typically we fly the helicopters, look for people in distress and assist them. If there's flooding associated with this storm and there are people who need assistance, we can fly to them and use our helicopters to fly them out of danger and into a safe area."
The Associated Press puts the death toll from Sandy at 33, with an estimate eight million Americans currently without power.
