SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 – As Ian progresses towards the west coast of Florida, many Navy Sailors and civilians are wondering when they should evacuate. The simple answer is that the parent command must determine whether personnel and family members should evacuate.
Currently Commander, Navy Region Southeast, Rear Admiral Wes McCall, has authorized the following persons to evacuate if they reside in mandatory evacuation zones or areas under mandatory evacuation orders issued by Military and competent civilian authorities (including state and local authorities): (1) civilian employees (APF and NAF), (2) dependents of active duty service members; (3) dependents of reservists on active duty; (4) dependents of civilian employees; and (5) authorized escorts for a dependent or civilian employee to evacuate. Active duty service members may be issued TDY or PCS orders but are not considered in an evacuation status.
At this time in Florida mandatory evacuations have been ordered in Charlotte, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. The designated safe haven for CNIC Command personnel is within 100 miles of Melbourne, Fla. Non-CNIC Command personnel covered under this evacuation authorization should proceed to the remote safe haven area designated by their parent chain of command. Visit Florida Emergency Management for up to the minute information and specific evacuation locations in each zone.
Civilian authorities cannot authorize entitlements for travel. Military and civilian employees must contact their commands prior to departure. Civilian employees, and military and civilian employee dependents evacuating under this authority must be issued individual evacuation orders by their parent command which may occur after the fact. Reimbursement for lodging and per diem will be at the approved rate for the designated safe haven.
Costs incurred by an evacuee for travel conducted without authorization away from the designated safe haven are the responsibility of the evacuee. Funding for military and civilian personnel is the responsibility of the parent command. Reimbursement eligible expenses must have occurred within the specified time period on the parent command evacuation order and may not exceed the authorization as directed by the parent command.
Impacted personnel are reminded that they do not need to wait for individual orders before evacuating. Individual orders can be issued once evacuees arrive at their respective safe havens, or even once they return. It is important to remember to keep receipts for everything.
Individual commands retain responsibility for mustering evacuated personnel and reporting their status as directed by their parent chain of command. Personnel unable to contact their parent command may report their status via the Navy Family Accountability and Assistance System (NFAAS) at https://navyfamily.navy.mil or 877-414-5358. The phone number is only manned after an order to account has been activated.
All evacuated personnel should maintain situational awareness through regular communications with their chain of command and via local media outlets. Evacuated personnel shall remain clear of impacted areas until authorized to return by competent civilian authorities and their parent command.
Remember, you are responsible for your own safety and that of your family. Listen to your local authorities and follow their instructions.
Story by Jay Cope
Commander, Navy Region Southeast