NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Weathers Hurricane Irene

Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba’s commanding officer ordered Hurricane Condition of Readiness (COR) level five set Aug. 24.

In coordination with NS Guantanamo Bay’s Emergency Operation Center, COR five was issued as Hurricane Irene moved northeast of the base.

COR five is the standard for NS Guantanamo Bay for the duration of hurricane season, Jun. 1-Nov. 30. Base residents should inventory their emergency supply kits and stay informed on the latest information utilizing base media outlets. The NS Guantanamo Bay Emergency Management working group (EM) updates EM plans and processes and the EM conducts EOC drills.

The EM met Aug. 21 to determine the storm’s status as initial weather reports showed storm track modeling for Irene to make possible landfall on base.

“As a precautionary measure, [Commanding Officer] Capt. [Kirk] Hibbert transitioned NS Guantanamo Bay to COR four Aug. 22,” said NS Guantanamo Bay Emergency Management Specialist Supervisor, Mark Kennedy. “There are several steps taken to transition to COR four. One of the most vital when moving up the COR levels is personnel accountability.”

The National Hurricane Center reports Irene, lingering in the Bahamas, could become a category four storm and impact the U.S. east coast anywhere from North Carolina to New York this weekend.

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Source: navy, August 26, 2011;