CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch announced today that the New Hampshire will offer up to 1,100 National Guard troops to support the hurricane relief and recovery efforts in the Gulf States.

"These are fellow American citizens who need are help, and we will answer their call. This is a natural disaster unlike any we have seen in years, and we must act to help the people of the Gulf States recover," Gov. Lynch said.

The National Guard Bureau this afternoon asked states to provide them with an assessment of the numbers and capabilities of National Guard troops they could offer. The Gulf States and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will then request specific troops from the states.

If requested by FEMA, Gov. Lynch will activate the troops to state duty and they will be dispatched to where the Federal Emergency Management Agency determines they are most needed. The deployments would likely be short-term.

Based on the recommendation of New Hampshire's Adjutant General, Kenneth Clark, New Hampshire will offer up to 700 Army National Guard troops and up to 400 Air National Guard troops.