Indiana Guard calls off Irene relief deployment

INDIANAPOLIS — About 1,000 Indiana National Guard soldiers who had been activated to help Hurricane Irene relief efforts will instead be staying home.

Guard officials announced late Sunday that Indiana Adjutant Gen. Martin Umbarger had ordered the soldiers to stand down. The Guard says officials in the states where Irene hit determined they were able to handle the storm response on their own.

The Guard says the Indiana troops are expected to be released within 24 hours.