Lajes Field prepares for Hurricane Gordon

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • Air Force Print News
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  Airmen at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, are preparing for Hurricane Gordon, which forecasters predict will make landfall early Sept. 20.

"Primarily we have been focusing on tracking the storm and trying to get as much information together and what the possible direct impact may be to our personnel and facilities," said 1st Lt. Shilo Weir, chief of public affairs for the 65th Air Base Wing.

The storm is currently listed as a Category 1 hurricane and the winds are expected to be between 55 and 70 mph. The base has no assigned aircraft and will close its flightline at 6 p.m. local time.

Wind gusts of that type are normal winter weather for this area, Lieutenant Weir said. The base buildings and infrastructure can easily sustain the levels of wind predicted for the hurricane. She said the majority of the work has been normal winter safety precautions.

"The highest risk to people is damage from flying debris so we are urging our people to secure items that are outside."

Safety is a priority during the storm. 

"Team Lajes is working together to make sure that the facilities, the local community and personnel and dependents are taking care of and that we get through the storm unscathed," she said.