Hampton Roads-based ships and aircraft are leaving the area today, as Hurricane Dorian is forecast to bring high winds and heavy rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast.

“Based on the current track of the storm, we made the decision to begin to sortie our Hampton Roads-based ships and aircraft [Sept. 4],” said Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, who gave the order. “This allows time for our assets to transit safely out of the path of the storm.”

Ships are leaving from Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek and will remain at sea until the threat from the storm subsides. Aircraft are being secured in hangars rated to withstand wind greater than anticipated onboard Naval Station Norfolk’s Chambers Field and Naval Air Station Oceana, while others are flown to alternate airfields to avoid the effects of the storm.

Ships unable to get underway are taking extra precautions to avoid damage. Commanding officers have a number of options when staying in port, depending on the severity of the weather. Some of these options include adding additional mooring and storm lines, dropping the anchor and disconnecting shore power cables.

Rear Adm. Charles W. Rock, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) ordered Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness (TCCOR) Three (III) for Hampton Roads and Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness (TCCOR) Two (II) for naval units/activities in the state of North Carolina at or east of the Raleigh-Durham metro area earlier today.

“Beginning in April, Navy personnel began training and preparing for scenarios associated with potential hurricanes,” Rock said. “Our Mid-Atlantic team has been working diligently to provide support to both our military and civilian personnel, as well as their families, to ensure their safety during this very stressful time. It is equally important that we are able to recover as quickly as possible after the storm passes to support the fleet when they return.”

Preparations include sandbagging, removing hazards and debris from drainage areas, removing large items from waterfront areas, ensuring emergency generators and vehicles are topped off with fuel, and filling and preparing potable water supplies.

All personnel and their families should review their Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) account (https://navyfamily.navy.mil) and review hurricane checklists in the event an evacuation is deemed necessary.

“It is important that our Navy families are informed of all resources available to them and have a plan in the event Hurricane Dorian affects our Region,” Rock  said. “Personnel should also discuss evacuation plans and reporting requirements with their chain of command.”

Navy personnel and their families should visit the Ready Navy website at https://ready.navy.mil and follow Twitter (@ReadyNavy). Ready Navy provides information, tools and resources that empower the Navy family to more aptly prepare for, react and recover when faced with any emergency.

CNRMA will continue to provide hurricane updates on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CNRMA.PAO) and Twitter (@CNRMA) as information is available. The NFAAS website is available at https://navyfamily.navy.mil.