JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Joint Base Charleston has issued a limited evacuation order due to the projected path of Hurricane Dorian. The base has moved to Hurricane Condition Three.
Current weather patterns project Hurricane Dorian to potentially impact the South Carolina coast within the next 72 hours. The installation is in the process of evacuating all C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to safe haven locations to continue their Rapid Global Mobility mission.
The JB Charleston evacuation order was issued, in conjunction with the South Carolina Governor’s evacuation order, by Col Terrence Adams, 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston commander. The evacuation order is effective as of 12 p.m. Sept 2, 2019 and will remain in effect until an order to return is given, or until 2 March, 2019, or when it is revoked by a designee, whichever comes first. The LEO applies to all residents in the following zones:
Southern Coast
Colleton County Evacuation Zones A, B
Beaufort County Evacuation Zone A
Jasper County Evacuation Zone A
Central Coast
Charleston County Evacuation Zones A, B, C
Dorchester County Evacuation Zone D
Berkeley County Evacuation Zones B, G
Northern Coast
Horry County Evacuation Zone A
Georgetown County Evacuation Zone A.
“The safety of our personnel is our top priority,” said Capt. Kevin Byrne, Joint Base Charleston deputy commander. “Issuing a LEO of all non-essential personnel, in conjunction with the Governor’s evacuation order, will help ensure our team is out of harm’s way throughout Hurricane Dorian. All personnel are reminded to stay in contact with their chain of command for questions concerning their evacuation plan.”
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 during HURCON Three.
All personnel should contact their duty sections for further instructions and information on transportation for individuals who do not have a personal vehicle. Those evacuating should follow their approved hurricane readiness plan. All military personnel and DOD civilians residing in the designated evacuation zones are authorized to evacuate and are not authorized to stay in local shelters during the storm. Stay tuned to local television and radio stations for instructions and hurricane information. Follow local guidelines for routes to leave the area.
The 628th Medical Group and Naval Health Clinic Charleston are closed until further notice. The 628th MDG and Humana have enacted a waiver for patient care and prescription benefits in their evacuated area. This means all retirees, dependents, and Active Duty personnel are able to receive care and prescription refills without co-pay or referral from the 628 MDG. Beneficiaries should call (800) 444-5445 to find a TRICARE approved pharmacy and care center in their evacuated area.
Starting at the time of the LEO, service members’ use of their Government Travel Card is authorized. The 628th Comptroller Squadron finance office will be open to provide cash advances for any service members without a GTC and dependents whose spouse is deployed or on temporary duty from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 02. Dependents needing a cash advance for travel must show proof of dependency (ID card). Military members needing a cash advance must coordinate through their respective first sergeant for approval. Cash advances for military members are only authorized if the member does not have a GTC. Cash advances are based on the projected number of days from the LEO, the mileage they are traveling, and the number of dependents traveling. The 628th Comptroller Squadron will issue 80% of the projected entitlement so members do not accrue a debt.
Please follow @JBCharlestonFSS on Facebook and www.jbcharleston.com for planned closing and re-opening hours of 628th Force Support Squadron facilities.
All Air Force personnel are reminded to update their personal information at the Air Force Personnel Accountability and assessment System at https://afpaas.af.mil
Navy personnel should update the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System at https://navyfamily.navy.mil.
All Army personnel are reminded to update their personal information at the Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and Assessment System at https://adpaas.army.mil
Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel should reach out to their chain of command on accountability reporting instructions.
For up to date hurricane condition information, service members and base residents can go to https://www.facebook.com/TeamCharleston/ or http://www.jbcharleston.jb.mil/.
Useful resources:
2018 South Carolina Hurricane Guide is available for download on SC Emergency Management Division's website at www.scemd.org.
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Ready.gov: http://www.ready.gov