More Iowa guard members to be deployed

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 14 (UPI) -- Additional Iowa National Guard members may be deployed to help residents across the state cope with rising floodwaters, Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis said.

Dardis, adjutant general for the Iowa National Guard, said 2,500 members were deployed across the state to help with sandbagging, security and evacuation efforts, the Des Moines Register reported Saturday.

"Our initial estimate was that 1,500 to 1,700 troops would be needed, but then it was 2,000 and now it's 2,500," Dardis said -- adding that he does not know how many additional members may be deployed in the severely affected areas, which include Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Des Moines.

Dardis said the guard is fully prepared to respond to the floods, even though 1,500 Iowa Guard members are in Iraq.

"We are 9,600 strong and if there is a need for more troops they will be mobilized," he said.