CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Charleston Air Force Base has upgraded its hurricane alert status to condition one at 8:30 a.m. this morning because of Tropical Storm Hanna. This means base officials expect heavy rains and winds in excess of 58 mph within the next 12 hours.
Due to impending weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Hanna, all non-essential civilian and military personnel of Charleston AFB and tenant organizations are excused from duty today, Sept. 5.
Mission-essential personnel required for the operability of the installation and for recovery operations after the storm will be required to report for duty.
"Only those identified Airmen and Department of Defense civilian personnel needed for the operation of the installation during and after the storm will be showing for duty throughout the day," said Lt. Col. Gregory Williams, 437th Mission Support Group deputy commander and Emergency Operations Center director. "The majority of facilities on Charleston AFB are now closed and we ask that only mission-essential personnel come on to the base at this time."
Charleston AFB Airmen who live on base should monitor local radio and television broadcasts for up-to-date storm information.
"As information is received, it will be disseminated throughout the base on the Commander's Access Channel (Channel 2), giant voice and on the 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs hurricane condition Straight Talk line," said Colonel Williams. "In the meantime, Charleston AFB military and Department of Defense employees not sure of their duty status should contact their supervisors to receive additional instructions."
For up- to-date hurricane condition information, Airmen and base residents can call the 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs hurricane condition Straight Talk line at (843) 963-5581.