Guard’s Florida Post-Hurricane Operations End
The National Guard shut down post-hurricane operations in South Dade County on Sunday, leaving just a few dozen people behind to pack up.
“The official word is that all of the troops are out of the hurricane area,” said Steven Gerrish, a spokesman at Florida National Guard headquarters in St. Augustine.
“We have about 65 people left to clean up after ourselves and repair some equipment so we can get it on the road, but our law enforcement missions have ended for all intents and purposes,” he said.
The Guard deployed 6,300 people to help residents after Hurricane Andrew ravaged the area 2 1/2 months ago. The guardsmen were joined by nearly 30,000 U.S. troops.
The soldiers helped clean up, direct traffic, provide food and water, and enforce the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in effect from the Kendall community south about 20 miles to Florida City.
Authorities planned to end the curfew today, bowing to residents’ complaints and a federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
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