THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 16, 1995 TAG: 9508160645
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By KERRY DEROCHI, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
The Navy sent 65 ships, submarines and aircraft carriers more than 400 miles off the coast Tuesday to avoid the high winds and threatening seas that Hurricane Felix could cause.
The fleet was ordered to take a northeasterly route from the Hampton Roads area, well out of the projected path of Felix, which is expected to make landfall sometime this evening.
``The ships are able to maneuver and stay out of the path of the storm,'' said Cmdr. Kevin Wensing, a spokesman for the Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet, which oversees the aircraft carriers.
``You don't want to have an aircraft carrier or other ships tied up to the pier in really high seas. With the extra high tides and high seas, it could possibly damage the piers and the ships slamming into them.''
More than 12,000 sailors left Norfolk in Tuesday's evacuation, which began at 5 a.m. and lasted through 12 p.m.
It is unclear when the ships will be allowed to return.
Thirty-nine Navy fighter and attack jets flew out of the Oceana Naval Air Station Tuesday afternoon, en route to air bases in Nevada, Florida and Ohio. Sixteen E-2C Hawkeyes and MH-53 helicopters were evacuated from the Norfolk Naval Station.
The rest of the aircraft have been moved into hangars.
The actions came as the commander of the Norfolk Naval Base set hurricane condition II for Hampton Roads, meaning that destructive winds are expected within 24 hours.
As a result, normal operations at all shore facilities were suspended as of midnight. Only Category Alpha, or essential personnel, were ordered to report to work this morning. Non-essential employees were not expected to report.
Only five of the estimated 100 locally based ships remain in port following Tuesday's evacuation. The ships that stayed were either undergoing repairs or were too small to weather out the rough seas associated with Felix.
The evacuation turned normally congested piers into a virtual ghost town. Only a handful of spectators gathered at the piers to watch as the aircraft carriers George Washington and America were pushed into the harbor by Navy tugs.
``Bye, daddy,'' shrieked Alexandrea Pittman, 2, as the George Washington got underway shortly before 11:30 a.m.
``Ma, we've got to chase it, we've got to chase it,'' said her brother Barry, 6.
For their mother, Marcia Pittman, the evacuation was just one more example of the uncertainty of Navy life, where the only constant is the coming and going of her husband, Barry, a petty officer 1st class.
``They come in, they go back,'' Marcia Pittman said. ``Being a Navy wife, you learn to deal with the situations as they come.
``They'll be back.''
On a nearby pier, Nyree Williams sat staring at the America as it pulled out to sea. She didn't even know it was leaving.
She had gotten a page from her husband, Jason, a machinist's mate, at 8:21 a.m. Tuesday. She didn't know what he needed and couldn't get hold of him on the phone. She drove to the pier at noon - just in time to see the carrier pulling out. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
A Navy sub and ship leave port to avoid Hurricane Felix. They're two
of 65 ships, carriers and subs that have left Norfolk, seeking
refuge at sea.
Graphic
NAVY NUMBERS
Assistance is available for Navy families. Those living in base
housing should contact their housing manager office. The numbers:
Little Creek Amphibious Base: 464-7448
PWC Norfolk: 444-2850
Norfolk Naval Shipyard: 396-2401
Yorktown Naval Weapons Station: 888-2424
Oceana Naval Air Station: 433-3464
Families living off base needing assistance may contact the
nearest installation at:
Little Creek Amphibious Base: 464-7550/7552
Norfolk Naval Station: 444-6491
Norfolk Naval Shipyard: 398-3231
Yorktown Naval Weapons Station: 887-4545
Subship Newport News: 380-1791
Oceana Naval Air Station: 433-2366
Norfolk Naval Base, Family Service Center: 444-6289,
1-800-372-5463
KEYWORDS: HURRICANE FELIX by CNB