JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
If you were sitting in a command bunker planning an exercise for Joint Base Charleston, you couldn't have written a better scenario than the one that played out last week as Hurricane Irene threatened our shores.
It was literally the perfect drill. Weather watchers and military leaders tracked the storm for almost a week. Initial computer models showed Irene hitting the South Carolina coast right smack in the middle of Charleston as a Category 2 storm. Fortunately for us in the Lowcountry, a little jog east, a little wobble north, and we were spared the wrath Irene brought to the Mid-Atlantic States and well into New England.
All week long JB CHS personnel planned for the worst while hoping for the best. A few souls displayed their naïve bravado, hoping to see a hurricane. Those of us who have experienced hurricanes in person knew better.
Stores around the area did a brisk business in bottled water and other hurricane supplies as people from all walks of life prepared for the days after the storm when there would be no electricity, no water, no gasoline and no ATMs.
As the storm neared, the activity on base rose to a fevered pitch as the winds started to pick up and the skies began to darken. Also, commanders had crews ready to evacuate our C-17 fleet if needed.
Luckily, as Friday came and went, so did the storm with minimal damage to our area. But if you were watching television during the weekend, you saw first-hand how close we actually came to a major disaster here in Charleston.
Hurricane Irene was about as perfect a hurricane as you could ask for, at least for those of us who call Charleston home. It enabled our commands to break out their emergency response books and start checking off to-do items. It also allowed us to make changes and preparations for the future, because there will be another storm, if not this year, then maybe next. It enabled us to ensure we know how to account for our people in an emergency, make the preparations that are critical to keeping JB CHS Charleston functioning and probably more importantly, scared many of you into going to the stores and putting together your hurricane emergency kits.
If you think this entire evolution was much to do about nothing, check the weather reports. Tropical Storm Katia is slowing building up steam in the Atlantic and heading in our direction. We are just entering the busiest part of hurricane season. Store all your hurricane supplies in a place where they are easy to get to and keep your hurricane kit stocked.
The chances are very good that you may need it sooner rather than later.