JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA –
The Joint Base Charleston installation commander put the base on Hurricane Condition III alert status at 10 a.m. Sept. 9, 2017, due to weather conditions projected by Hurricane Irma.
Hurricane Condition III is declared when the forecast calls for the arrival of 50-knot (58 mph) sustained winds or greater within 48 hours.
A limited evacuation order was given Sept. 8, 2017, at 12 p.m. by Col. Jeffrey Nelson, 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston commander. The commander has ordered JB Charleston personnel and families to evacuate no later than 6 p.m., Sept. 9, 2017.
"The safety of our service members and their families is our priority," said Nelson. "Members may not return until the limited evacuation order has been lifted. Due to potential complications associated with high tides, flooding, and tropical storms, the LEO is still in effect even though Governor McMaster has not identified all of our areas for evacuation. Please ensure you are in contact with your chain of command for questions concerning your situation."
During HURCON III, JB Charleston will continue precautionary preparations to secure property that may be exposed to storm conditions and implement the evacuation of non-essential personnel and their families. At this time, all aircraft have been evacuated to safe haven locations.
Please be aware that the following events are canceled due to the storm:
Alpha Warrior Regional Competition (Originally scheduled for September 9, 2017)
Joint Base Charleston Air Force Ball (Originally scheduled for September 9, 2017)
POW/MIA Events (Originally scheduled for September 14 and 15, 2017)
Chapel Services for Sunday 10 September, 2017 will be cancelled at both the Air Base Chapel and Weapons Station Chapel.
315th Airlift Wing UTA Weekend (Originally scheduled for 9-10 September, 2017)
To stay up-to-date on 628th Force Support Squadron facility closures, please visit their Facebook page at @jbcharlestonfss.
As a reminder, all personnel should use the links below to check & update their information:
Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System
https://afpaas.af.mil/
Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System
https://navyfamily.navy.mil
U.S. Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System
https://adpaas.army.mil/
For up to date hurricane condition information, base personnel, their families and residents can call the 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Straight Talk line at (843) 963-5581 for up-to-date hurricane condition information. Official updates will be provided via www.facebook.com/pages/teamcharleston or www.jbcharleston.jb.mil.
For more information, please call the Public Affairs office at (843) 963-1758.