Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Maintains Operations During Hurricane Dorian

Photo By Riley Eversull | Josh Layton, who is sheltering at the Medical Center during the storm, checks on his dog in NMCCL's Pet Room  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

09.06.2019

Story by NMCCL Public Affairs 

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune (NMCCL) staff efficiently maintained
operations during Hurricane Dorian. NMCCL and its Branch Medical Clinics suffered minimal damage from Hurricane Dorian as the storm passed over Eastern North Carolina throughout Thursday night (Sept. 5, 2019) into Friday morning (Sept. 6, 2019). More than 450 essential personnel staffed NMCCL during the course of the storm; NMCCL provided 17 personnel to aide storm shelters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. NMCCL also sheltered 185 essential staff family members and high-risk expectant mothers plus their immediate family members. Medical personnel provided care to 32 patients throughout the duration of Hurricane Dorian. Just as in Hurricane Florence, NMCCL sheltered dogs and cats of essential personnel and patients staying at NMCCL. More than 53 pets stayed in the Medical Center “pet room” on the First Deck. Basic necessities such as food, water and electricity were maintained throughout the storm. NMCCL suffered no major loss of power, only documenting a few power fluctuations. As of noon on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, the Galley team served 840 meals to staff and guests. NMCCL facilities and safety crews, after assessing storm damage to the main Medical Center and Branch Medical Clinics, found minimal wind damage and a few water leaks which are already being repaired.
NMCCL Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff Timby commended the Medical Center staff members for their storm preparations and calm control of operations in the course of Hurricane Dorian:
The Medical Center staff worked extremely hard to best ensure the safety and care of our patients and those sheltering with us. I encourage all patients and personnel to be safe when traveling home; debris and flooded roadways may still be present and create unexpected driving
hazards. Most storm-related injuries occur after the storm. Use safety measures when assessing your home and property. NMCCL is honored that patients and staff entrusted us with their care during Hurricane Dorian.
Partnerships were critical to NMCCL’s success in surviving the storm. NMCCL would like to thank the following agencies:
 MCB Camp Lejeune Fire Department
 MCB Camp Lejeune Provost Marshal Office
 2nd Medical Battalion
 Army Veterinarian Service
 8th Communications Battalion
 Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Emergency Operations Center
 Marine Corps Air Station New River Emergency Operations Center
 Onslow County Emergency Operations Center
 City of Jacksonville Emergency Operations Center

• Date Taken: 09.06.2019
• Date Posted: 09.10.2019 14:14
• Story ID: 339335
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US