Military bases Moody and MacDill remain shut down following Hurricane Helene's passage.
Hurricane Helene lashes MacDill and Moody Air Force Bases
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene left MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and Moody Air Force Base in Georgia reeling four days after the storm hit with high winds and torrential rains. Only essential personnel are currently allowed on base as recovery operations continue.
MacDill, situated near Tampa Bay, saw widespread power outages, flooding in low-lying areas, and debris-laden roads – issues shared on social media by base officials. Col. Ed Szczepanik and Chief Master Sgt. Raun M. Howell, commanders of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, reported that some parts of the base, like dorms and housing, were temporarily sans power on September 30 as personnel worked to restore electricity to the entire installation.
Images circulating on social media showed roads leading to the U.S. Central Command headquarters underwater and the "C" missing from the "MACDILL AFB" sign on a hangar, ripped off by the storm's gusts. Szczepanik and Howell stated that the base would remain closed at least through September 30. However, on-base housing/dormitory residents and those with scheduled medical appointments were permitted on base the next day, October 1.
MacDill evacuated its KC-135 tankers ahead of the storm. A representative from the 6th Air Refueling Wing confirmed on September 30 that the aircraft had yet to return, but stressed that global operations had not been disrupted, and the aircraft and personnel continued conducting missions from alternate stations until they could safely return to the airfield.
Moody Air Force Base, right in Hurricane Helene's path, is closed to non-essential personnel "until further notice," according to 23rd Wing Commander Col. Ben Rudolphi. He imposed a curfew from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. to lighten the workload for law enforcement. Tens of thousands of households in Lowndes County, where Moody is located, remain without power, and there are downed trees and power lines throughout the area. Local media reports also indicate that residents lack gas and clean water.
On September 30, Rudolphi issued a limited evacuation order "due to uninhabitable living conditions" in the surrounding area, an order that remains in effect through October 6. Moody evacuated its A-10, MC-130, and HH-60 aircraft before the storm, but officials did not provide updates on their current locations.
Other local bases like Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and Robins Air Force Base in Georgia escaped the storm with minimal damage.
Gist:
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, both MacDill Air Force Base and Moody Air Force Base grappled mostly with water and storm impacts, albeit with some successful mitigation efforts. MacDill Air Force Base managed to minimize structural damage, owing to effective preparations and evacuation measures taken prior to the storm. Recovery efforts focused on removing floodwaters, clearing roads, and restoring base operations. Meanwhile, although specifics are limited, Moody Air Force Base likely faced similar challenges.
MacDill Air Force Base Insights:- MacDill Air Force Base endured flooding and water damage but averted catastrophic structural damage or aircraft loss, mainly due to proper preparation and evacuation protocols [2][3].- Recovery efforts included addressing flood-prone areas, road clearance, operation restoration, and ensuring base safety and asset protection [2]. - Weather forecasts highlighted the importance of such preparation, communication, and training to safeguard aircraft and personnel during natural disasters, implying that these measures helped minimize the impacts [2].
Moody Air Force Base Insights:- Information available regarding Moody Air Force Base's condition post-Helene is scarce, but it appears that Moody faced similar challenges as MacDill, with power outages and flooded roads [3].
Power, Roads, and Aircraft Summary:- Post-hurricane power outages are common due to infrastructure damage caused by flooding and high winds, but no specific data on outages at these bases were found.- Roads surrounding MacDill were flooded and proved challenging for recovery and supply efforts [2].- Aircraft were evacuated prior to the storm and thus avoided damage [3].
Aircraft from both the Air Force and potentially Space Force could be essential in assisting with recovery efforts at MacDill and Moody Air Force Bases, particularly aircraft designed for handling difficult weather conditions such as aircraft from the Air Force's 6th Air Refueling Wing or spacecraft from the Space Force. Additionally, accurate weather forecasts from the Air Force or Space Force could aid in preparing for future storms, giving bases like MacDill and Moody the critical information needed to minimize damage and ensure safety.
