In Aftermath of Isaias, Senator Moody Calls for Increase in Total Allocation for Florida National Guard to Better Protect Floridians

WASHINGTON, D.C.-In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias making landfall in Florida last week, Senator Ashley Moody is leading efforts to increase the total allocation for the Florida National Guard. Guardsmen play a vital role in protecting Floridians, including in the aftermath of storms where they help rescue and recovery efforts. Although the population in Florida has risen dramatically over the past several years, the size of the Florida National Guard has remained stagnant. Senator Moody is calling on the Department of War to increase National Guard personnel to continue to effectively serve Floridians whenever they are called upon.

"In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, we saw once again just how critical the Florida National Guard is to keeping our communities safe-but while Florida's population has grown in recent years, the size of our National Guard has not kept pace.That's why I'm leading an effort to increase the number of Guardsmen allocated to our state. Florida's National Guard is always there when we need them. We need to make sure they have the personnel and resources to continue answering the call," said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

• Senator Moody is joined by U.S. Representatives Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Mario Diaz-Balart, Dr. Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Scott Franklin, Carlos Gimenez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, Jimmy Patronis, and John Rutherford in the effort.
• Read full letter here.
• Ahead of Isaias, Senator Moody joined Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss preparedness efforts, including the mobilization of thousands of National Guard members. After the storm, Senator Moody and Governor DeSantis conducted an on-the-ground assessment of some of the damage and thanked Guard members for their response efforts.
• Approximately 5,000 Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated to respond to Hurricane Isaias. Guard members conducted route clearance, reconnaissance, humanitarian assistance, flood mitigation and search-and-rescue operations.
• Eight Florida National Guard members rescued a family during the Hurricane Isaias response. The soldiers worked together to rescue four family members from a sinking pickup truck beside an Interstate 10 off-ramp.

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