Tuesday morning, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic authorized an emergency evacuation order for active duty Navy and civilian personnel, dependents of active duty service members and reservists on active duty residing in Hampton Roads and Virginia Zone A.
The move follows Gov. Ralph’s Northam’s order for mandatory evacuation for those live in Zone A in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore – the order remains in effect until Sept. 16.
“The safety of our personnel and their families is my top priority right now,” said the commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Rear Adm. Charles Rock. “Our mission is to support the Fleet, Fighter and Family and the team at Navy Region Mid-Atlantic has been working around the clock to provide support and information during this very stressful time.”
Parent commands must determine whether the individuals should evacuate, whether the location is covered under a disaster or emergency declaration issued by the federal or state government due to Hurricane Florence, and whether the location being evacuated is covered under a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order issued by competent civilian authorities, according to a news release from the Navy.
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic evacuees are authorized to proceed within 500 miles of the designated remote safe haven area of Asheville, North Carolina.
All others should proceed to the remote safe haven area designated by their parent chain of command. Individuals evacuating under this authority must be issued individual orders by the command, the Navy said.
Orders will include reimbursement for lodging, and per diem will be at the approved rate for the designated safe haven. Individuals authorized to evacuate who are unable to obtain official orders in advance of departing should keep all receipts for reimbursement and coordinate with their parent command upon return.
Costs incurred by an evacuee for travel conducted without authorization are the responsibility of the evacuee.
Personnel are encouraged to visit www.knowyourzoneva.org to determine if they are located in Virginia Zone A.
“Roadways, interstates and highways will be congested as residents will be traveling to various safe havens,” Rock said. “I ask that everyone traveling please keep safety in mind and remember to muster with their chain of command when they reach safe haven.”
All personnel and their families should update their Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System account at https://navyfamily.navy.mil, as well as review hurricane checklists. Service members are encouraged to discuss evacuation and reporting requirements with their chain of command and family members.
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society offices will remain open in Hampton Roads for as long as feasible to support Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families with evacuation assistance loans.
Personnel or family members should bring a current I.D. card and Leave and Earnings Statement, if available. Because of the sortie of ships and personnel, the active duty member is not required to be present for NMCRS to assist the family. Priority will be given to personnel residing in Zone A. For information on office locations go to www.nmcrs.org.”
Local cities and communities will have shelters open to support families who choose not to evacuate the area.
Personnel are encouraged to check with their municipality on locations, monitor local media and social media for information and updates.
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