Hurricane Florence: Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast, at your fingertips

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – The largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast opened to anyone with Defense Ministry ID cards and their families on Wednesday afternoon as a hurricane monster to the Carolinas – Camp Lejeune.

Hurricane Florence is expected to hit the area with winds above 100 mph and rainfall measured in feet.

Brigadier General Camp Lejeune, Julian D. Alford, said in a statement that the base had endured "countless destructive weather events during its 77-year history" and it is waiting for Structures continue to withstand difficult conditions.

When asked if the base is well prepared for a potentially Category 4 hurricane, Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Courts answered defiantly, "Oh yes, we are marines and we are ready to go." ".

He said the Camp Lejeune climate change task force is doing exercises at least once a year for these scenarios. "Today, it is only a concrete action," added the Court.

While the focus is on the base, the team is ready to respond to emergency incidents in the community – but only if local authorities formally request their assistance.

The 156,000-acre base, comprising 11 miles of waterfront, has a team of navies, large military vehicles, an electricity generating capacity to filter and distribute electricity. 39, water and emergency shelters.

Camp Lejeune's three reception centers – on the school grounds and in a fitness center – can accommodate 1,500 people.

"In 24 hours, we went from a gym where people were playing basketball yesterday to a place that can accommodate up to 620 people," said 1st Lieutenant Charles Strauss, head of the Wallace Shelter. Creek Fitness Center.

Strauss visited Fox News in the area surrounding the facility, stating separate rooms for people with special medical needs and a place to treat injuries.

Although there is a limited number of blankets, pillows and beds, Alford assured in a statement that "everyone who needs a shelter will get it".

"The general has the keys to a number of new five-story barracks that he is ready to open in the event of lack of capacity. He will not give up anyone who comes here with a DOD card looking for shelter, "Nat said. Fahy, director of communications at Camp Lejeune.

When making their beds, veterans Marty Rabello and Douglas Renegar expressed relief at having a reliable option nearby to deal with the storm.

"I fully trust those who make the decisions to host us here … or I would not be here," Renegar said.

Although military officials have reservations, this is not a five-star hotel. The spaces will be packed and the air conditioning will probably be cut off for safety reasons.

Guests should not expect to be fed in the first 72 hours and are encouraged to bring toiletries and games, as well as provisions.

"We will try to make this place as comfortable as possible," said Strauss. "But comfort is not our priority. Our main concern is the safety and facilitation of as many people as possible. "

Strauss assured that as long as Florence continued to spread terror on the coast of North Carolina, the shelters would remain open.