09/05/2019
Praying for our Camp Lejeune missionaries Tom-Kyung Scaife and their ministry today as they wait out another hurricane. Remembering God's faithfulness and kindness to us even in the midst of the storm.
MILITARY PERSONNEL NOTICE: As of 10 a.m., the MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ commanding general has established Tropical Cyclone Condition 1 Caution (TCC IC) in preparation for any potential future impacts from Hurricane Dorian. TCC IC is established when a destructive weather system with sustained winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater is forecast to affect the area within 6 hours. In accordance with Base Orders 3440.1D and 3440.6F CH-1, all base staff and tenant commands are to ensure that all tasks specified for completion during TCC IC are completed and reported to the base EOC.
The base has secured access to Onslow Beach, suspended all services except those supporting emergency operations and are encouraging all to begin to shelter in place and stay off of area roads. All military personnel are restricted to quarters or place of duty.
At 8:00 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Dorian was located near latitude 32.1 North, longitude 79.3 West. Dorian is now moving toward the north-northeast near 8 mph (13 km/h). A turn toward the northeast is anticipated by tonight, and a northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is forecast on Friday. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian will continue to move close to the coast of South Carolina today, and then move near or over the coast of North Carolina tonight and Friday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher gusts. Dorian is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected this morning, followed by slow weakening through Saturday. However, Dorian is expected to remain a hurricane for the next few days.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles (315 km). NOAA buoy 41004, located a short distance north of the eye, recently reported sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) and a wind gust of 76 mph (122 km/h). Charleston International Airport recently reported a wind gust of 61 mph (98 km/h).
The estimated minimum central pressure based on Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter data is 959 mb (28.32 inches). NOAA buoy 41004 recently reported a pressure of 976.0 mb (28.82 inches).
It is expected that this destructive weather system will impact Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River with periods of strong winds, heavy rains, flooding of urban and low lying areas, potential flash floods and coastal storm surges are expected.
The base and air station shelters have opened and are as follows:
• Wallace Creek Fitness Center, Bldg. WC-1
• Tarawa Terrace II Elementary School, Bldg. TT-84
• MCAS New River Fitness Center, Bldg. AS-4400
All Camp Lejeune & MCAS New River gates will observe their normal hours of operation for the duration of the storm with the exception of the Douglas Road Gate and Piney Green Gate which are both closed. Some additional gate closures are expected as the effects of the storm impact the local installations. (e.g. - NCDOT will close the Sneads Ferry Bridge when sustained winds exceed a certain speed resulting in the closure of the Sneads Ferry Gate, etc.) Additional gate and road closures may also be required as trees fall and other damage occurs during the storm. We will post any closures as soon as they are shared with us from PMO on our page and Twitter feed.
Base residents should stay indoors and stay tuned to local media, our command social media sites or our official websites for the latest information from the command.
An elevation of the base's posture to TCC IE is expected later today, and it is expected that we will remain in TCC IE potentially until mid-day Friday as the storm moves over the area.
Check https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for the latest forecasts and stay tuned to local media outlets for continuous updates on this dynamic weather events.
