US military evacuates fighter jets and warships to avoid super typhoon
US military bases along the Virginia coast have had to evacuate planes and warships in preparation for Hurricane Florence's imminent arrival.
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| The USS James E. Williams left Norfolk on September 10 as a precaution against Hurricane Florence. Photo: US Navy. |
The US Navy said nearly 30 warships at its Hampton Roads bases along the Virginia coast were ordered to leave port on September 11 in anticipation of Hurricane Florence. These ships will move to the Atlantic Ocean, while those undergoing maintenance in port will remain and take precautions against storm damage, according toMilitary.
All F-22 stealth fighters and T-38 trainers of the 1st Air Force Wing, stationed at the Langley-Eustis Joint Base, were also ordered to evacuate to the US National Guard's Rickenbacker Base in Ohio.
"Our facilities here are fully hurricane-resistant, but the safety of our F-22 fighters should not be jeopardized for any reason," said Colonel Jason Hinds, commander of the US 1st Air Force Wing.
The governors of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency and mobilized more than 1,000 National Guard troops to assist emergency rescue forces in areas expected to be affected by the storm.
According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Florence is about 840 km south-southeast of Bermuda, expected to move through the area between Bermuda and the Bahamas on September 11-12.
Florence, packing winds of up to 220 km/h and possibly becoming stronger, is considered the strongest hurricane to hit South Carolina in decades. The storm could cause severe flooding in areas on the US east coast, which are already inundated by heavy rain.
US President Donald Trump yesterday urged people in areas in the storm's path to pay attention to warnings and follow the requests of local authorities. President Trump also had to cancel a meeting with supporters in Mississippi due to concerns about the storm's consequences.
