Hurricane Laura hit the Gulf Coast Thursday with maxium sustained winds of 150 mph, forcing the activation of thousands of National Guard troops to provide hurricane response support and military installations in its path to react.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A total of 5,400 Louisiana National Guard troops were activated, along with 222 high water vehicles and 65 boats for search and rescue missions across the state, the National Guard Bureau said Thursday. Twenty-seven Army aircraft are also poised to respond, and Louisiana Gov. Jon Bel Edwards has approved the activation of the entire Louisiana Air National Guard should they be needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Thursday morning, the Louisiana National Guard shared photos of troops clearing roads in the aftermath of the storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, more than 1,000 Texas National Guard troops were activated and more than 20 aircraft including UH-60 Black Hawks, CH-47 Chinooks, and C-130s are ready to assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Guard also said the 159th Fighter Wing in New Orleans and the 147th Attack Wing in Houston relocated aircraft to safeguard them from the storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMoving these aircraft protects the aircraft from damage and will not affect readiness of the units,\u201d the National Guard said Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Multiple military installations have been in the path of the storm and have issued instructions to personnel regarding how to respond. For example, the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk in Louisiana issued a restricted movement order that expires Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fort Polk is located in Vernon Parish, which has encountered multiple flash flood warnings Thursday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease remember, we are on a restricted movement order until 1400 this afternoon,\u201d Fort Polk said in a Facebook post Thursday morning. \u201cStay off the roads to allow our first responders and public works maintenance crews to assist those in need. If you leave your residence, please note there continued weather advisories (wind, flash flood, hurricane warnings). There are downed power lines, trees and flooded road ways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana also advised those on base to stay at home as the storm passes over. The base said the strongest winds are expected Thursday afternoon, along with the increased likelihood of flash flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeam Barksdale, the safety of you and your families is our top priority,\u201d Barksdale Air Force Base said in a Facebook post Wednesday. \u201cUnless there is an immediate risk to your safety please remain in your home during the storm. Continue to monitor official channels for updates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later on Thursday, Barksdale said response teams would be surveying damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n