Base officials initiate HURCON 4

Published Sept. 3, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.(ACCNS) -- In preparation for Tropical Storm Hanna, 4th Fighter Wing officials have initiated a hurricane watch and declared HURCON 4, meaning wind gusts in excess of 50 knots are expected within 72 hours.

Though Hanna is now categorized as a tropical storm, it is expected to be upgraded to a hurricane before it reaches the Atlantic coastline Friday afternoon. Weather forecasters expect the storm to make landfall anywhere from Florida to North Carolina.

Regardless of where the storm lands, officials are advising base personnel to prepare for heavy rainfall, possible flooding, tornados and high winds. Airmen and their families do not need to evacuate the local area, though they are being encouraged to seek a secure shelter, such as a home or a dormitory, during the storm. Several streets and areas in Wayne County are known to flood and drivers should be cautious to avoid low-lying areas. To see these areas susceptible to flooding, view a map of the county and waterways at www.ncfloodmaps.com/pubdocs/Neuse/Wayne_Comm_Rec.pdf.

Airmen should check with their supervisors to determine if their duty is mission essential or not and if they are required to report for normal duty hours. Wing officials will continue to update base personnel as the storm's path becomes more obvious.

Though base personnel can seek shelter from the storm, the aircraft cannot. A team of aircrew members will evacuate approximately 80 F-15E Strike Eagles and three KC-135R Stratotankers to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Thursday.

For more hurricane-preparation information, visit www.seymourjohnson.af.mil and click on the hurricane guide graphic.