flood11

Twenty-four Airmen from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing are on state active duty, patrolling levees along the Iowa side of the Missouri river. The Airmen are patrolling large levees constructed just a few weeks ago near downtown Sioux City. This week the Army Corps of Engineers began releasing the maximum amount of water possible from the Gavins Point Dam upstream from Sioux City. The Airmen are working shifts in order to patrol the levee 24 hours a day. They are watching for areas in the levee that may begin to weaken and they are insuring the city water wells in the area are kept free from flooding river water. Master Sgt. Ron Hanson is a crew chief with the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa. He is working as the day shift supervisor on levee patrol.

B-roll of how the Missouri National Guard is increasing its flood response efforts. The most recent mission is a 24-hour presence patrol in Atchison County. Soldiers assist the county sheriff’s department and the State Highway Patrol in monitoring evacuated communities, levees, and million dollar parking lots along the Missouri River. Includes interviews with Sgt. 1st Class John Weiss - HHD, 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion and Sgt. Joshua Graham - Alpha Battery, 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion. Produced by Spc. Sarah Lupescu.

The Missouri River spills over levee L550 in Atchison County, Mo. Missouri Guard liaison officers responded to calls from county officials. Interview with Staff Sgt. Kevin Ackley, Atchinson County LNO, Alpha Battery, 1-129th Field Artillery Battalion, explains the steps taken throughout the day. Produced by Spc. Sarah Lupescu. Available in high definition. MOFlood11. Flood11

B-roll of Col Robert J. Ruch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, checking levee status on County Levee in Bismarck, ND. Includes shots of sandbags, water pumps and neighborhood flooding. Available in high definition.

B-roll of Col. Robert J. Ruch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, checking levee status on County Levee at Southport Marina and shots of the Marina flood damage and neighborhood flooding at the levee. Available in high definition.

B-roll of Aerial footage of Souris River in Minot and Burlington, North Dakota, 22 June 2011. Dike breeches, North Dakota National Guard, vehicles and personnel sandbagging are featured. Produced by Master Sgt. Eric Johnson.

Minot and Burlington, North Dakota are expecting severe flooding and Minot Air Force Base and the local community are working together to minimize damage on their towns. Produced by Airman 1st Class Geni Oslund.

Footage of the Minot flood from a helicopter

National Guardsmen from North Dakota's 816th Engineers wrap up work with their civilian counterparts after an attempt to dislodge a downed foot bridge in Souris River that threatens the integrity of the town's dikes. Engineers prepare their bulldozers for transport back to the armory after a visit from Brigadier General William Seekins. Produced by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Houk.

National Guardsmen from North Dakota's 816th Engineers wrap up work with their civilian counterparts after an attempt to dislodge a downed foot bridge in Souris River that threatens the integrity of the town's dikes. Engineers prepare their bulldozers for transport back to the armory after a visit from Brigadier General William Seekins. Produced by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Houk.

National Guardsmen from North Dakota's 816th Engineers work with local and state agencies to mitigate a threat to the Minot, ND. Guard bulldozers a civilian backhoe and a M-88 Armored Recovery Vehicle wrestle mid-stream for hours. NDFlood11, Flood11

Without sand, who can save the day? Guardsmen from Carrington, North Dakota's 835th Asphalt/897th Concrete team work to fill 1-ton sandbags, coordinating with other Guard engineer elements to shore up a levy, surrounded by water, protecting a school. See also Minot: Saving Perkett Elementary (Part 1) and Minot Interview: Capt. Gary Ripplinger. NDFlood11, Flood11

A boat ride into some of the hardest hit areas in Minot, North Dakota reviles severe flooding devastation. Street signs are almost completely in some areas, in others garages are floating above their foundations. The smell of diesel fuel is in the air.

B-Roll of the Souris (Mouse) river just after its historic flood crest in Minot, North Dakota. NDFlood11, Flood11

This edition features a story about how Black Hawk Helicopters sling-load one-ton sandbags to reinforce a levee in Minot, ND. The North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers are responding to an urgent request for flood assistance from Minot city emergency management personnel in an effort to save a residential area from rising food water of the Souris River. Video by Master Sgt Eric Johnson, Photo by Senior Master Sgt David Lipp and Hosted by Tech Sgt. Marcie Mascaro.