Hurricane Irene updates

Published Aug. 24, 2011
By Joint Base Public Affairs Office

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Hurricane Irene continues its track to the Eastern United States. The storm is currently projected to start Saturday evening and is an extremely large storm that may pose a hazard to the area. Of course, these projections are estimates and are subject to change.

Locally, JB MDL has gone to HURCON I status. Key information for JB MDL operations is located here.

What is a HURCON and why does it impact you?
HURCON is a time phased weather warning designed to prepare for the arrival of 50 knot (58 mph) winds in your area. HURCON is only a time measurement and not a Saffer-Simpson scale intensity measurement (Category 1-5).

Each HURCON is listed by Roman Numeral:
HURCON IV: Arrival of 50 Knot winds within 72 hours
HURCON III: Arrival of 50 Knot winds within 48 hours
HURCON II: Arrival of 50 Knot winds within 24 hours
HURCON I: Arrival of 50 Knot winds within 12 hours

Click here for additional information on HURCON I.

Now is the time to review your hurricane plans. Throughout the weekend, please monitor the storm on JB MDL AM Radio 1650, NOAA weather radio, the joint base public website and social media sites, the joint base informational lines and through the local news reports.

Additional information on what the joint base is doing to prepare for Hurricane Irene can be found at the following links:
- JB MDL prepares for Hurricane Irene
- Prepare, prevent claims ahead of time
- Hurricane Irene preparations at JB MDL
- Hurricane preparedness tips

The joint base community is advised to:
- Limit travel plans and exposure during peak storm activity
- Remove or secure loose items that could become flying hazards
- Report storm damage and utility outages to the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron at (609) 754-4415.
- Ensure your storm kit is ready -- www.ready.gov for ideas on what you should include in your kit
- Stay in contact with your leadership and be prepared for an accountability recall through your respective organizations
Updates on how Hurricane Irene may possibly impact Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will be posted on JB MDL's Facebook page.

BASE REPORTING CONDITIONS:
Non-mission essential people should stay in quarters this evening until conditions are safe to travel. Mission essential personnel must remain on alert and will be directed to duties.
On Monday, non-mission essential personnel should report for duty four hours after their normal reporting time.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS:
The Child Development Centers will have normal operating hours on Monday.

87TH FORCE SUPPORT SQUADRON CLOSURES:
All FSS facilities, with the exception of lodging and the dining facilities, will close at 5 p.m. Saturday and will not open on Sunday. Advise all personnel to contact the base informational lines for the most current travel information.

CHAPEL WORSHIP SERVICES:
Sunday Worship Services are canceled.

DINING FACILITIES;
All dining facilities will be open Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The McGuire DFAC will issue MREs to-go for all three meals. The Dix DFAC will issues MREs to-go during lunch and dinner. This is in anticipation of dangerous weather conditions which will limit travel to the DFACs.

INSTALLATION GATES:
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will maintain normal gate hours through 10 p.m. Saturday. After this time, traffic should go through the McGuire Gate, Route 68 Gate, Lakehurst Main Gate and the Browns Mills Gate.

Checkpoint 9 will close at 6 p.m., Saturday and re-open at 6 a.m., Monday.

COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE: (Note: Once the commissary, exchange and shoppettes close on Saturday, they will remain closed until Monday morning.)
- The Commissary will close at 3 p.m., Saturday.
- The Base Exchange will close at 5 p.m., Saturday.
- The Shoppettes will close at 6 p.m., Saturday.

FOOD FACILITIES:
- All food facilities - other than the dining facilities - will close at 5 p.m, Saturday.

ROAD CONDITIONS:
Road conditions on base will be determined as Hurricane Irene moves into the area. All personnel should be familiar with the various road conditions for JB MDL. An explanation of road conditions.

MEDICAL CARE:
The After Hours clinic next to Deborah is closed today in preparation for the storm. Personnel needed medical care must go to the nearest Emergency Room between now and Monday at 11:30 a.m.

SHELTERS

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST
(The contingency (emergency) shelters on JB MDL are for on-base personnel and should be used as a last resort. The shelters are for those base personnel whose homes suffer damage during the storm.)
- McGuire Fitness Center, 2504 POW/MIA Blvd. (will open at 5 p.m., Saturday)
- Lakehurst Fitness Center, 123 Severyns Rd. (will open at 5 p.m., Saturday)

STATE OF NEW JERSEY
(NOTE: A list of updated shelter locations throughout the State of New Jersey can be found here.)
- Atlantic County:
   -- St. Augustine Prep, 611 Cedar Ave., Richland, N.J. (Capacity for 250 evacuees - PET FRIENDLY)

- Burlington County:
   -- Charles Street School, 100 West Charles Street, Palmyra, N.J. 08065 (will open at noon, Saturday)
   -- Chairville Elementary School, 36 Chairville Road, Medford, N.J. 08055 (will open at 4 p.m., Saturday)

- Cape May County:
   -- Woodbine Developmental Center, 1175 Dehirsh Ave., Woodbine, N.J. (Capacity for 305 evacuees)

- Gloucester County:
   -- Rowan University (Student Center), 201 Mullica Hill Rd., Glassboro, N.J. (Capacity for 2,200 evacuees)

- Monmouth County:
   -- Wall Township High School, 18th/New Bedford Ave., Wall, N.J. (Capacity for 2,000 evacuees - CANNOT ACCOMMODATE PETS)
   -- Holmdel High School, 4 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel, N.J. (Capacity for 500 evacuees - CANNOT ACCOMMODATE PETS)
   -- Colts Neck High School, 59 Five Points Rd., Colts Neck, N.J. (Capacity for 2,000 evacuees. - CANNOT ACCOMMODATE PETS, opens at 8 a.m., Saturday)

- Ocean County:
-- Southern Regional High School, 90 Cedar Bridge Rd., Manahawkin, N.J. (Capacity for 3,212 evacuees - PET FRIENDLY)
-- Poland Spring Arena, 1245 Freehold Road Toms River, N.J. (Capacity for 550 evacuees)

- Salem County:
   -- Salem County Community College, 460 Hollywood Ave. Penns Grove, N,J. (Capacity for 750 evacuees)