Hurricane Information
Area Weather Concerns
The threat of a hurricane to this area is real and warrants utmost attention for preparation and action. It is important to know what to expect during one of these storms, and what to do to reduce the risk to Soldiers and Families. Please take appropriate preventive measures, review checklists and adapt your actions to your personal needs. This can be done by following the advice given in the Ready Army Emergency Preparedness Plan, which includes three, easy to understand steps: Get a kit, Make a plan and Be informed. Keep in mind that hurricanes are destructive storms. Your safety could depend on your actions and preparations.
Hurricanes can cause widespread damage without ever making landfall. Tropical systems from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico have caused major flooding and inland winds as far north as the mountain regions in Georgia. In addition, rapid population growth along the hurricane-prone coastline increases the risk of loss of life and extreme property damage. Everyone should take personal responsibility for taking appropriate preventive measures and prepare him or herself in the event of a hurricane.
Command Hurricane Policy
The installation commander will make all decisions requiring evacuation of Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. Local county Emergency Management Agencies will decide on evacuation within their jurisdictions. Fort Stewart will provide shelter facilities for Soldiers ordered to evacuate from Hunter Army Airfield. Shelter facilities are limited on Fort Stewart. Family Members are encouraged to evacuate to Georgia shelter facilities. Fort Stewart decisions will follow the principal of “run from the water, hide from the wind.”
• Greatest Threat is Wind Damage, Not Storm Surge.
• MARNE TV is the official source of news, information, and updates. The internet will also be used.
• Soldiers may have duties that prevent their evacuation with their Families.
• If local evacuations are directed and Fort Stewart does not evacuate, Fort Stewart will accept Soldiers from Hunter Army Airfield as its first priority and provide shelter for military Families on space available case if possible.
• On and off post Families must be prepared to evacuate without their sponsors. Preparation is critical to success.
• Pet owners are responsible for evacuating and providing care for their pets. Do not bring pets to the shelters. Most shelters will not accept pets.
EVACUATION POLICY
Fort Stewart
The central in-processing center for shelters on Fort Stewart is the Soldier Reintegration Center, building number 275. The designated parking area is the Soldier reintegration Center parking lot.
Privately owned vehicles will be used to evacuate when possible. During some hurricanes, the installation commander will decide whether Soldiers residing in barracks will remain there and will encourage Families in Army Family Housing to also remain there. During other hurricanes, the installation commander will decide whether Soldiers residing in barracks will evacuate to the location specified by their respective chains of command. Soldiers residing in Army Family Housing will evacuate via POV to the location specified by their respective chains of command.
Family Members of Soldiers residing in Army Family Housing will be encouraged to evacuate to the same location as their spouses. Soldiers and Family Members residing off-post will follow the orders and directives of their respective Civilian Emergency Management Agency.
Hunter Army Airfield
There will be no shelters opened on Hunter Army Airfield. During some hurricanes, the installation commander will decide that soldiers residing in barracks and Families in Army Family Housing will remain there. During other hurricanes, the installation commander will decide that Soldiers residing in barracks will evacuate to the location specified by their respective chains of command. Soldiers residing in Army Family Housing will evacuate via POV to the location specified by their respective chains of command.
Family Members of Soldiers residing in Army Family Housing will be encouraged to evacuate to the same location as their spouses. Soldiers and Family Members residing off-post will follow the orders and directives of their respective Civilian Emergency Management Agency.
The Coastal Georgia Evacuation Routes are as follows:
Chatham County: Highway 21, US 80, I-16, Highway 204 to US 280
Bryan County: Highway 144 to US 301 (Glennville)
Liberty County: Highway 84 to Highway 196 to
Highway 301 (Glennville)
Establish a “Family contact:” In case Family Members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “Family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the Family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
Peach State Radio Stations
Through the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, an arrangement has been made with Peach State Radio, the Georgia Public Radio Network, to broadcast evacuation and other emergency information over all Peach State Radio stations. Since these stations are all over the state, you can receive emergency information just about anywhere in the State. The locations and frequencies, all of which are FM, are listed below:
Area Weather Information
Albany-91.7
Dahlonega-89.5
Athens-91.7/97.9
Fort Gaines-90.9
Augusta-90.7
Macon-89.7
Brunswick-88.9
Rome-97.7
Carrollton-90.7
Savannah-91.1
Chatsworth-98.9
Tifton-91.1
Columbus-88.1
Valdosta-91.7
Demorest-88.3
Waycross-90.1
Hurricane-related Websites
The following partial listing of weather and hurricane related Web sites is provided for your information and access:
• The Weather Channel - www.weather.com
• National Weather service - www.nws.noaa.gov
• Ready Army Website - www.ready.army.mil
• Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield -
www.stewart.army.mil
Severe weather notification service through email or cell phone - www.emergencyemailnet-work.com
• Federal Emergency Management Agency - www.fema.gov
• American Red Cross - www.redcross.org
HURRICANE SEASON CHECKLIST
Ready Army Emergency Preparedness Kits:
• Are flashlights available and serviceable?
• Are candles on hand?
• Is there a serviceable portable radio available?
• Are spare batteries on hand for flashlights and radios?
• Have flood insurance policies been purchased?
• Has there been Family discussion about hurricane preparation and evacuation?
• Do you have a secure place to store valuables?
• Do you have important personal documents centrally
located so you can take them with you during evacuation?
• Have all checklists been reviewed?
• Have you contacted and designated an out-of-state friend or relative to serve as your Family point of contact?
• Have you made hotel/motel reservations outside of the
affected area (safe zone) if not planning to stay in a shelter?
• Is the vehicle you plan to use to evacuate in serviceable
condition with a full tank of gas?
• Are non-perishable foods (3 day supply) on hand?
- water, one gallon per day per person
- canned meats, fruits, vegetables and soup
- canned or powdered milk
- staples—salt, pepper and sugar
- high energy foods—peanut butter, jelly and crackers
- vitamins
- baby foods and formula
- special foods for special dietary needs
- snack items
• Are sufficient medical supplies and medications on hand for the next two to four days?
- bandages (assorted sizes)
- adhesive tape
- scissors
- tweezers
- antiseptic
- thermometer
- safety pins
- cleaning agent/soap
- sunscreen
- aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- anti-diarrhea medication
- syrup of Ipecac and/or activated charcoal
- laxative
• Are special needs type items on hand?
- baby formula, diapers, powdered milk, medications
- heart and high blood pressure medication
- insulin
- prescription drugs
- dentures, contact lenses and supplies, extra eyeglasses
- sanitation supplies (toilet paper, moist towelettes, disinfectants and trash bags)
• Are radios being used to keep you informed of the hurricane’s progress?
• Is your car fueled?
• Has the hospital been informed of any special-care problem that may come from evacuation of handicapped or bedridden Family Members?
• Are windows taped and boarded to prevent shattering?
• Have all antennas been removed from buildings?
• Are valuables moved up high to avoid water damage?
• Have outside areas been cleared or loose objects such as yard furniture, trash cans, potted plants, water hose, toys, barbeque grills, etc.?
• Are containers filled with several days’ supply of water?
• Have all trailer mounted boats and campers been secured?
• Have you turned fridge and freezer controls turned to maximize cold?
• Have private aircraft been secured?
• Has kennel space been arranged?
• Has sufficient cash been obtained to pay expenses?
• Only use phone for emergencies
• Have you called your next of kin to inform them of your decision to evacuate?
• Have you made a final check of the outside area?
• Have you checked with your neighbors to see if any assistance is needed?
• If going to a hurricane evacuation shelter, make sure you packed the following:
- blankets/pillows/bedding items
- nonperishable food items/snacks
- baby items
- prescription drugs and other medications
- extra clothing items
- personal hygiene items
- flashlight and extra batteries
- toys, books and other children’s games
