Shaw Air Force base prepares for Hurricane Florence as evacuations begin

Shaw Air Force base announced it moved to Hurricane Condition 5 in preparation for Tropical Storm Florence Monday morning.

“The change in HURCON follows Gov. Henry McMaster’s declaration of a state of emergency for South Carolina in preparation for Hurricane Florence,” the 20th Fighter Wing said in a press release.

The National Hurricane Center says Florence is expected to make landfall at the coast around North and South Carolina as a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday or Friday.

A coastal North Carolina county has already issued a mandatory evacuation order for its entire population and more are expected in the coming days.

Below are the HURCON levels, and their conditions.

HURCON 5: Signifies the beginning of hurricane season and initiate the first level of prep for the season.

HURCON 4: Indicates surface winds in excess of 45 mph (40 knots) could arrive within 96 hours.

HURCON 3: Indicates surface winds in excess of 45 mph could arrive within 72 hours.

HURCON 2: Indicates surface winds in excess of 45 mph could arrive within 48 hours.

HURCON 1: Indicates surface winds in excess of 45 mph could arrive within 24 hours.

HURCON 1E: Indicates surface winds in excess of 45 mph are occurring and other dangerous condition associated with the storm are present. All outside activity is strictly prohibited.

HURCON 1R: Indicates life-threatening storm hazards have passed but damage may persist and only emergency responders and damage assessment personnel are released to move about.

The Air Forces requires Airmen to verify and update their information in Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System. This includes emergency contact information.

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