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NSA New Orleans Hurricane Briefs Prepare Service Members

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060415-10
4/15/2006

By Journalist 2nd Class David Poe, Naval Support Activity New Orleans Public Affairs

NEW ORLEANS (NNS) -- As part of a continuing curriculum in preparation for the 2006 hurricane season, military and civilian experts from local Navy bases delivered 27 briefs to 265 New Orleans-area service members and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians March 27 through April 7.

The brief detailed past storm history of the Gulf Coast and the lessons learned from them. It also unveiled the Navy’s program to classify threats, and how they would relate to damage prevention and evacuation procedures if necessary.

Lt. Cmdr. Neil Uemura, Naval Support Activity New Orleans’ emergency manager and main contributor to the brief, noted that due to New Orleans’ unique geographic location, Crescent City service members’ knowledge of, and respect for, Gulf Coast weather is vital.

“We have additional concerns here because even if only a Category 3 hurricane hits, we’re located below sea level and surrounded by levees,” said Uemura. “In the past, I think some people got complacent about storm preparation due the frequency of which they come here.”

Like a lot of New Orleanians, Catherine Lee, a contract clinician at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans’ Community Support Center (CSC) and contributor to the briefs, has experienced personal losses during past Gulf Coast storms. She said it’s that experience that helps them better prepare service members for what could come during hurricane season.

“Most of CSC’s case managers are local, so we know what everyone is going though,” said Lee. “Whether it’s assistance with material, emotional, or spiritual needs,” said Lee, “we’re here to help.”

Whether it’s simply being proactive when the weather turns for the worse, or evacuation plans in the face of major hurricanes, Navy officials continue to work to maintain readiness.

“Any location along the Gulf Coast, or even East Coast, is very susceptible to storms, especially hurricanes,” said Uemura. “With the frequency of storms this area gets, I think some people get complacent in preparation for them.

“Whether a forecast turns out to be a false alarm, or a brutal storm does make landfall," he said, "it’s important to have a plan well in advance.”

For related news, visit the Naval Support Activity New Orleans Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nsano/.