Joint Base MDL survives Hurricane Irene

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Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., experienced winds exceeding 70 mph and more than eight inches of rainfall as Hurricane Irene swept through the area Aug. 27, 2011. Damage was minimal on base; however, flooding is still an issue in the low-lying areas on some roads and parking lots. The whole base worked together to secure all important equipment and material, while also setting up shelters and responding to emergency calls. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Dennis Sloan)
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Joint Base MDL survives Hurricane Irene

Posted 8/29/2011 Updated 8/29/2011

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by Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

8/29/2011 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (AFNS) -- Hurricane Irene moved out of the area here Aug. 28, but not without leaving its mark.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst experienced damaging winds and excessive rain, which caused flooding, base officials said.

When the storm began to move out of the area, damage assessment teams spread out across the base Aug. 28.

"We currently have damage assessment teams driving the main and side roads of the base looking for flooding, downed trees or any obstructions." said Master Sgt. Ronald Boulanger, the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of construction. "The clean up and restoration of JB MDL will start once we have identified all the issues and prioritize them."

The storm sent gusting winds of more than 70 mph through the base, uprooting full-grown trees and scattering small debris. Flooding of roads, lakes and rivers quickly became an issue when eight inches of rain fell on the base within a short period of time.

"The low-lying areas of base have seen significant amounts of flooding, especially near lakes and rivers," said Airman Tyler Woytus, a 15th Operations Weather Squadron weather specialist.

Hurricane Irene hit the joint base and New Jersey late Aug. 27, but base members had prepared for the storm several days prior. All units on Joint Base MDL worked together to ensure equipment and military assets were properly secured and aircraft were at their destination well before the hurricane arrived, base officials said.

"This has been some of the best teamwork I've ever seen," said Tech Sgt. Hazeley Glenn, of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron. "The whole base is coming together to make this work."

The last hurricane to hit the East Coast with this intensity and force was Hurricane Carol in 1954.

"This doesn't happen everyday," said Tech. Sgt. John Nugent, the 87th CES Operations Support superintendent. "The East Coast is not known to have a hurricane hit it this hard or at all."

The final step to recover from this storm is restoring base accessibility and getting the mission moving again, base officials said.

"The cleanup is going very well," Nugent said. "The crews have been very responsive and professional. We've been able to address everything very quickly."