Blackhawks Vital In North Platte Flood Fight

--

The Nebraska National Guard appears to have won its battle against flooding along the North Platte River.

Soldiers have dropped more than five million pounds of sandbags following a levee breach just east of the city of North Platte.

KETV NewsWatch 7 rode along with the helicopter crews as they were working to control the rising river water.

Blackhawk helicopters were used to lift three one-ton sandbags at a time and deposit them along the damaged levee.

The emergency effort was conducted to protect critical assets in the state from the floodwaters, including the Union Pacific Railroad's main transcontinental rail line as well as U.S. Highway 30.

"Most of this was underwater when we got here a few days ago," said Capt. Dennis Rieke, with the National Guard.

Three National Guard helicopters, including one from Colorado, and another private chopper were used to make drops every five minutes.

On the ground, riggers just feet from the hovering aircraft hook up the sandbags. The crews sprint to get the loads ready, and that includes running against a wall of wind created by the helicopters' rotors.

"There's wind blowing in your face 70 to 80 miles per hour or more," said Spc. Christopher Martinmaas.

The soldiers said they use the same skills and precision they would if they were in a combat zone.

"Other than a different package hanging under the helicopter, it's very similar," sad Maj. Thad Finneran.

In six days, the National Guard laid 2,200 sandbags covering a half mile stretch. The effort allows Union Pacific crews to build a secondary levee to protect the area.

As the operation winds down near North Platte, the soldiers realized they may be needed again in the weeks ahead.

"We know it's going to be a long summer," said Finneran. "That's what we're here for, so we're ready."

Two thousand Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen are on standby. They will deploy at a moment's notice if there's another threat.

Copyright 2011 by KETV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.