Joint Base Charleston Begins Recovery Operations After Tropical Storm Idalia

Joint Base Charleston began recovery operations early this morning after the storm impacted the Lowcountry. Damage across the Joint Base was minimal, but our Airmen are working diligently to clear the installation and flight line of debris.

All base personnel and residents should complete an assessment of their workcenters and residences and report any damage to the appropriate agency. For those located on Joint Base Charleston with facility damage, please contact the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron at (WS) 843-794-4088 or (AB) 843-963-5006 to report. For housing residents, please call housing maintenance at (WS) 843-797-3858 or (AB) 864-768-3300. Residents can also place maintenance workorders through the resident portals for each community.

As of 2 p.m. today, we will resume Hurricane Condition 5, our steady state posture during hurricane season.

HURRICANE IDALIA UPDATES

Facility Closure Update: 

The 628th Medical Group, JB Charleston will close Wednesday, 30 Aug. at 3 p.m. and will reopen Thursday, 31 Aug. at 10 a.m.

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. If you need other medical assistance, please call the NHS Nurse Advise Line at 1-800-TRICARE.

 

Preparation: 

In response to Tropical Storm Idalia, sand is available on both the Weapons Station and Air Base for all personnel and housing residents. Bags are not available, so personnel must procure their own.

Additionally, please police around your residence and remove or secure any objects that may become airborne during inclement weather.

Charleston County High Wind Bridge Procedures:

Hurricane Idalia is expected to have maximum sustained winds of 35 knots, with maximum gusts reaching 50 knots. The Charleston County government does not shut down bridges during tropical storms. While bridges won't be officially closed, Joint Base Charleston leadership urges base personnel to avoid driving on the bridges under the following high wind conditions:

Condition Yellow: 30 mph sustained winds

  • Vehicles are advised not to drive on 65-ft or higher bridges or exposed bridges.
  • Drivers should use extreme caution if they decide to travel over bridges.

Condition Red: 40 mph sustained winds

  • Bridges 65-ft or higher and exposed bridges are unsafe for public travel.
  • At these wind speeds, officers may not be present at bridges due to unsafe conditions. Drivers do so at their own risk.

High span (65 feet high or higher) or exposed bridges in Charleston County:

• Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge
• Ashley River Bridges (old and new bridges)
• Ben Sawyer Bridge (Sullivan’s Island Bridge)
• Breech Inlet Bridge (connects Isle of Palms to Sullivan’s Island)
• Cosgrove Bridge (the “North Bridge”)
• Dawhoo River Bridge (on Edisto Highway SC 174)
• Don Holt Bridge (I-526 over the Cooper River between North Charleston and Daniel Island)
• Isle of Palms Connector • James Island Connector
• Limehouse Bridge
• McKinley Washington Bridge (the “Edisto Bridge”: Hwy. 174 over the Edisto River near Edisto Island)
• Stono River Bridge (connects James Island to Johns Island over Maybank Highway)
• Wando River Bridge (I-526 over the Wando River in Mt. Pleasant)
• Wappoo Bridge (connects W. Ashley to James Island)
• Westmoreland Bridge (I-526 over the Ashley River between North Charleston and W. Ashley)

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Season is from 1 June to 30 November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October. Below are some helpful links with information provided by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) to better prepare servicemembers, civilians and their families in the event of a hurricane. For more information visit the SCEMD official site here.

Zone Finder

Make a Plan

Emergency Shelters

Closings and Delays

Weather Forecast

Quick Links

Air Force Be Ready Page 

Navy Be Ready Page 

 

NATURAL DISASTER INFORMATION

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A logo for Earthquake Information

A logo for Flood Information

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I get in contact with the American Red Cross?

The American Red Cross Services for the Military and their Families, click here.

Call 877-272-7337 to send a verified emergency message to the Command, or to get connected with local resources 24/7/365.

What do we do in case of a Hurricane Evacuation?

AFPC HAS ESTABLISHED A TOLL FREE NUMBER WHICH IS L0CATED AT RANDOLPH AFB, TX, FOR EVACUATION PURPOSES.

1-800-435-9941

YOU MUST CALL THIS NUMBER AND PASS ON INFORMATION OF WHERE YOU EVACUATED TO AND ALSO CHECK DAILY FOR THE "ALL CLEAR" TO RETURN TO BASE. DO NOT RETURN UNTIL THE "ALL CLEAR" IS GIVEN.

ONCE THE "ALL CLEAR IS GIVEN YOU MUST RETURN IMMEDIATELY"

SERVICE SPECIFIC REPORTING

A logo for Air Force Reporting

A logo for Navy Reporting

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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTACTS

 

Email the Emergency Management Flight at 628CES.CEX.EM@us.af.mil

 

Air Base Section:

843-963-5333

 

Weapons Station Section:

843-794-7652