VNG Soldiers clear trees to assist with Hurricane Helene response - Oct. 3, 2024

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Gate City-based 1032nd Transportation Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group use chain saws to clear debris in the wake of Hurricane Helene Oct. 3, 2024, in Damascus, Virginia. The Soldiers cleared 15 trees as well as debris from flood waters like fences and porches.

The Virginia National Guard has approximately 20 Soldiers with tactical trucks capable of high mobility transportation staged in Abingdon Oct. 4, 2024, in order to support the response to impacts of Hurricane Helene. The personnel are trained and ready to conduct movement, debris reduction and supply transport missions. Approximately 20 Soldiers with tactical trucks will be released from duty by the end of the day.
- On Oct. 4, Soldiers are prepared to accept new missions for debris deduction, commodity movement and other tasks as assigned by VDEM
- On Oct. 3, Soldiers operated in the Damascus, Virginia, area and removed 12 trees, distributed 134 cases of water and 20 meals, helped provide security for a container with $15,000 of food and supplies and loaded a transport container of medical equipment including 20 wheelchairs, 30 crutches, 15 walkers and 10 portable latrines.
- From Sept. 27 to Oct. 2, the Soldiers cleared about 98 trees in Scott County, Russell County and Washington County and delivered two 5-ton tactical truck loads of food and water to two separate point of distribution sites in the Damascus area.
- Soldiers assisted the Virginia State Police with a high water evacuation of two citizens and their two dogs from their home near Damascus Sept. 27 and also assisted first responders with evacuation of 11 citizens over a washed out bridge near Damascus Sept. 28.
- Soldiers assisted with distribution of food and water in Independence for approximately three hours Sept. 29, and they also delivered supplies to citizens with restricted access to resources in Fries.