Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, commander, Navy Region Southeast, has designated the area within 150 miles of Jacksonville, Florida, as the new remote safe haven for personnel and families who evacuated due to Hurricane Irma, effective Monday, September 18.

On that date, personnel and families who are currently staying within 300 miles of Atlanta, Georgia, can travel to Jacksonville area. The purpose of the move is to offer access to temporary quarters and Fleet and Family Support Centers on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville and Naval Station (NS) Mayport.

"Every effort will be made to accommodate housing needs of Hurricane Irma impacted personnel and families," said Bolivar. "Our Fleet and Family Support Centers are ready to assist you."

The change in safe haven moves NAS Key West families a step closer as that installation works to restore essentials services and ensures facilities and housing are safe for their return.

Those personnel and families are asked to be patient as the process of restoring the base will take time. They can follow the restoration progress on the installation's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/naskeywest.

Personnel and families arriving in Jacksonville and needing assistance can enter a needs assessment in NFAAS if there is an actual pressing need. NFAAS can be assessed at www.navyfamily.navy.mil or by using the NFAAS cell phone app. The system allows families to assess their needs in 19 categories including: medical, missing family locator, transportation, housing and personal property, financial, employment, child care, education, legal services, and counseling. A Navy counselor will make contact and provide assistance.

Additional updates can be found by visiting Navy Region Southeast's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NavyRegionSE.