Captain’s Column
Last July I showed up in Corpus Christi excited and ready to meet the challenges of command. July and August were pretty busy as I was trying to learn the ropes and getting myself settled into the job. One day I took a look at the hurricane history for NASCC and noticed it had been quite some time since a hurricane hit the area. For some reason that lulled me into thinking hurricane preparations weren’t a big deal. That was a mistake.
Lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters, according to the National Hurricane Center website.
So with the 2018 Hurricane season fast approaching, my questions are: Do you have a plan? How prepared are you?
By knowing what you need to do and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a disaster. But you must also be prepared to take the steps necessary so that you are acting instead of reacting when a storm approaches. It isn’t easy, but everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. It is more than tropical storms forming into hurricanes that everyone needs to be aware of; it’s also accompanying storm surges, tornadoes, damaging winds, heavy rainfall and inland flooding.
Last week, national weather forecasters predicted 14 storms for this year’s hurricane season. Hurricane season begins June 1, but as we’ve seen in the past tropical storms can form early.
Over the years, forecasting the tracking of storms has become more accurate. But, weather forecasters cannot predict the intensity of the storm once it hits land.
We saw that with Hurricane Harvey.
The time to make a plan is now. Start with updating emergency contact information: make sure information in TWMS (Total Workforce Management Service), NFAAS (Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System), ATHOC (mass notification system), and for military, your page 2, SGLI and family care information are up-to-date.
Then continue with reviewing and gathering important documents, making a home emergency kit that includes food, water and other supplies, and staying informed.
When you are told to evacuate the area because a storm is approaching, you should have your route preplanned, make sure your vehicle is in good running order and filled with gas, plan for possible ATM outages, prepare for large traffic back-ups, have a plan for your pets (DO NOT LEAVE THEM BEHIND) and monitor various websites, including NAS Corpus Christi’s facebook page, for updates of status changes.
Your survivability – and that of your family’s – is directly related to your degree of personal readiness.
Stay informed. If you stay informed, you’ll make the right decision and be safe.
The following websites will help you keep informed:
www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php
Update your emergency contact information:
-TWMS – https://twms.nmci.navy.mil
-NFAAS – https://navyfamily.navy.mil
-ATHOC self service (on NMCI computers)
-Military personnel must keep their Page 2, SGLI and family care plan current