PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
At 3 p.m. ET the 45th Space Wing entered Hurricane Condition III (HURCON III) in preparation for Hurricane Matthew. HURCON III indicates surface winds in excess of 58 mph, which could arrive in the area of the base within 72 hours. We anticipate winds to reach 34 knots at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2016, with 50 knot winds expected around midnight.
There has been NO evacuation order given and there has been no decision to relocate personnel elsewhere at this time. Currently, all base facilities and resources are operational. The PAFB/CCAFS leadership team is working closely with functional experts and Brevard County as this storm moves into our area and updates will be provided as appropriate.
Patrick Air Force Base's Main Exchange is operating under normal business hours. Tonight, AAFES plans to receive a shipment of hurricane based supplies to include: generators, tarps, batteries, and duct tape, which will be available Oct. 5. They can be reached at 321-799-1300.
The AAFES Express (Gas Station) is also operating under normal hours and in a "top fill" status, which means they will have fuel available as a priority location. They can be reached at 321-494-6686.
DECA, the base Commissary is expected to receive 48 pallets of water in the morning and will also restock hurricane supplies as well. They too are operating under normal business hours. They can be reached at 321-494-5841.
The Patrick AFB Medical Clinic currently has limited appointments for acute medical needs only. Pharmacy services are operating under hours but patrons are asked to limit prescriptions to those who don't have enough to last through the passing of the storm. Pharmacy and medical care questions can be directed to Express Scripts at 1-866-363-8779 or Humana Military HealthCare Services at 1-800-444-5445.
Wing leadership will meet again this evening for a storm update and status check on base facilities and equipment.
Base personnel and residents should take action this evening to secure items outside of their homes in the event of hurricane-force winds. A full checklist of how and what to do before a hurricane occurs can be found under the "2016 Hurricane Survival Guide" on patrick.af.mil at http://www.patrick.af.mil/Portals/14/documents/AFD-160512-021.pdf?ver=2016-05-17-095529-567
All aircraft have been secured or relocated to other military installations and launch assets based at Patrick AFB and CCAFS are protected from possible storm damage.
For real time updates, visit the Wing's Facebook page at, www.facebook.com/45SpaceWingatPatrickAirForceBaseFla or on Twitter www.twitter.com/45thspacewing
Additional preparedness information can be found at:
http://www.brevardcounty.us/EmergencyManagement/Preparedness
http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
http://www.patrick.af.mil/Units/Hurricane-Information
https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes