Naval Air Station Kingsville Commanding Officer Capt. Mark McLaughlin directed staff members today to set modified Condition of Readiness 3 (COR-3M) in preparation for the arrival of tropical storm force winds from Tropical Storm Alex on the South Texas coast. Modified COR-3M is basically taking extra steps of preparedness above and beyond those of COR-4 without fully implementing all of the COR-3 actions.

“It looks like Tropical Storm Alex’s projected path changed somewhat overnight (Monday),” McLaughlin said, “and we are not expected to see the high winds; however, heavy rain is expected. The storm is expected to reach hurricane strength this evening, and while it remains in the Gulf there is always the potential for variations in the storm track. We have secured items that could become hazards in high winds and have looked at the base’s drainage system to ensure no obstructions to allow the expected rainfall to drain to Baffin Bay. ”

Base personnel are also being reminded to fuel government (and personal) vehicles, check emergency supplies, ensure extra batteries are on hand in case of power outages, and stock-up on essential food items.

Training Air Wing TWO flew 40 T-45 “Goshawks” to locations away from the Coastal Bend threat-area as a precautionary measure. An additional 17 aircraft are currently in El Centro, Calif., conducting weapons training and those aircraft are not scheduled to return until after the storm. The remaining 50 “Goshawks” owned by the Wing are being moved into hangars today to protect them from tropical storm-force winds.

Alex is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches over portions of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches. Additional rainfall accumulations of 2-4 inches are possible over portions of southern Mexico today. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides...especially in mountainous terrain.

Tropical Storm wind conditions are expected to approach the coast within the hurricane and tropical storm warning areas Wednesday, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3-5 feet above ground level along the immediate coast near, and to the north of, where the center makes landfall.

“Even if all we receive from this storm is heavy rain, there’s a possibility of flooding on board the air station,” McLaughlin added. “So we’re taking this storm very seriously.”

At present, entry points into the air station remain operating as normal, and all base facilities are operating on normal hours.