Rescuing Kentuckians: Those behind flown aircraft, high-axle vehicles

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Valuable equipment it takes to retrieve people stranded in the hardest hit areas comes out of the Kentucky National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Frankfort.

Soldiers are flying in and out of the base and have rescued more than 300 Kentuckians and counting who have been stranded by flooding.

“A lot of folks have been relocated to Jenny Wiley State Park,” Kentucky National Guard Commanding General Hal Lamberton said. “A lot of folks have been relocated to a middle school in Inez, Kentucky; far eastern Kentucky; I think also Martin County.”

The weather on Sunday grounded the air rescue teams, making it impossible to get quick help to some people. In some areas with high water, helicopter rescues are the only option.

“We literally had in some cases, as we did today, hoist folks up on a hoist that we dropped down from the helicopter; folks clung on to it and were raised up to the helicopter,” Lamberton said.

There have been 14 helicopters making rescues, operated by the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana National Guards, and more than 250 soldiers are deployed throughout the state.

Those who are not in the air battle the water at ground level.

“Commercial vehicles can’t get to somebody; privately owned vehicles can’t get to somebody; in some cases, even boats,” Lamberton said.

Not all of the high-axle vehicles have been able to cut through the water.

“Trying to maneuver through some flooded areas had the road give way underneath them, and one vehicle we were able to recover; the other vehicle is still stuck there under the water,” Lamberton said.

No matter the type of rescue, communication between state, county, and local governments is key to helping as many people as possible.

“There’s mechanisms to be able to call our aircraft in real-time and get them to provide a real-time assessment of a situation,” Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Martin said.

Officials said within the next 48 hours, they may get asked to go door-to-door knocking, checking on people.

The National Guard is essentially in the saving life phase, which will eventually move into life sustainment. This could include debris removal and setting up points of distribution to provide food and resources to those who have been affected.