EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Wind, rain and flooding… Oh my!
Hurricane season returns in only a month and 96th Test Wing’s Readiness and Emergency Management wants to make sure the base populous and community are up to date and aware of some new changes that have occurred.
To do so, Emergency Management has scheduled briefing over the next two weeks to information and answer any questions about how the base prepares and executes its hurricane protocols.
The first significant change is the adjusted timetable for the Air Force’s hurricane conditions. The HURCON numbers are based on the timing of the storm. This is not the same as the category number of a hurricane, which describes power or strength of the storm.
The new HURCON conditions are:
HURCON 5 - Destructive winds are possible within 96 hours
HURCON 4 - Destructive winds are possible within 72 hours
HURCON 3 - Destructive winds are possible within 48 hours
HURCON 2 - Destructive winds are possible within 24 hours
HURCON 1 - Destructive winds are possible within 12 hours
HURCON 1C - Caution: Winds of 40-57 mph/35-49 knots sustained are occurring.
HURCON 1E - Emergency: Winds of 58 mph/50 knots sustained and/or gusts of 69 mph/60 kts or greater are occurring. All outside activity is strictly prohibited.
HURCON 1R - Recovery: Destructive winds have subsided and are no longer forecast to occur; survey and work crews are permitted to determine the extent of the damage and to establish safe zones around hazards (e.g. downed power lines, unstable structures). Non-essential personnel are asked to remain indoors.
The upcoming briefings are scheduled for:
413th Flight Test Squadron auditorium (Bldg. 439)
May 10 – 5:30 p.m.
May 11 – 8, 10 a.m., 1, 3 p.m.
May 12 – 9:30 a.m.
Enlisted Heritage Hall
May 18 - 8, 10 a.m., 1, 3 p.m.
May 24 - 8, 10 a.m., 1, 3 p.m.