JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Based on the latest forecasts for Hurricane Florence, the installation will remain in Hurricane Condition 4, instead of moving into Hurricane Condition 3.
The HURCON 4 declaration yesterday directed personnel to continue specific emergency preparations according to established guidelines and checklists. Those preparations are ongoing.
The HURCON status number is not a reflection of a storm's strength; it is determined according to the timeframe of expected impacts, with lower numbers signifying a storm getting closer to the installation.
“With Florence expected to turn slightly southward, we anticipate minimal weather impacts here at JBA,” said 11th Wing and JBA Commander Col. Andrew Purath. “We expect to be out of a hurricane condition status completely by tomorrow morning, but we'll continue monitoring the forecast."
Hurricane Florence is currently located in the Atlantic Ocean and is classified as a Category 3 storm with winds between 111 and 129 miles per hour. The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center calls for the eye of Florence to make landfall on the North Carolina coast late on Thursday, Sept. 13.
For updates, JBA personnel and residents should remain in touch with their chain of command, follow Joint Base Andrews on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jointbaseandrews) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/JBA_NAFW), regularly check https://www.jba.af.mil, and call in to the Straight Talk Line at 301-981-5995.