CHARLESTON,
W.V. – Governor Jim Justice announced Monday that the Mountain
State is prepared to send resources including West Virginia National Guard
assets and personnel as needed in areas deluged by what has become Tropical
Storm Harvey.
“West Virginia stands ready, willing and
able to provide first responders to assist our fellow Americans in Texas and in
other areas along the Gulf Coast as they continue to deal with the massive
flooding and devastating damage being caused by Tropical Storm Harvey,”
Governor Justice said. “I encourage all West Virginians to join Cathy and I as
we pray for their safety and well-being.”
The West Virginia National Guard has a
broad array of disaster response and recovery resources. It remains in contact
with its counterparts in other states to ensure it can provide whatever is
needed when a request arrives, said Major General James Hoyer.
“A wide variety of requests are possible
in the wake of an event of this magnitude,” Hoyer said.
The state Division of Homeland Security
and Emergency Management, meanwhile, is also coordinating possible resources
including swift-water rescue teams, Director Jimmy Gianato said.
“There are no requests yet but we are
prepared in the event requests do come,” said Gianato, who is also the
governor’s homeland security adviser.