National Guard units were activated in response to a powerful winter storm blowing across the central and eastern parts of the U.S. beginning in the late afternoon on Sunday.
Snow, ice, wind and bitter-cold temperatures created treacherous travel conditions, as Winter Storm Blair brought the possibility of the “heaviest snowfall in a decade” to some areas.
National Guard units in Delaware, Missouri, West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky are to provide support to state and local responders, including with helping stranded motorists and to support other types of weather emergencies.
On Monday, D.C. National Guard soldiers and high mobility multipurpose vehicles staged across multiple police districts to provide mobility support operations until normal operations resume.
Delaware Gov. John Carney signed Executive Order 65 on Sunday to pre-position some support units from the Delaware National Guard to assist with any necessary response and recovery activity.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed Executive Order 25-01 as a precautionary measure to prepare for hazardous winter weather expected to impact the state during the weekend.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has declared a State of Emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties and directed the West Virginia National Guard to mobilize personnel to assist local communities and citizens in response to the anticipated storm impacts. Additional Guard personnel in West Virginia will begin staging at five armory locations in Eleanor, Gassaway, Summersville, Glen Jean and Bluefield to ensure rapid response capabilities if needed.
In Indiana, 122 Guard troops will work across seven Hoosier armories in Bedford, Edinburgh, Evansville, Indianapolis, New Albany, Shelbyville and Washington after an emergency declaration by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky during a news conference on Saturday.