THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508180481
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff Report
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
The Navy has resumed normal operations and all personnel are expected to report for duty this morning, unless otherwise directed by a commanding officer.
In addition, the Navy has downgraded its early-warning system to hurricane condition three for Hampton Roads, meaning destructive winds are possible within 48 hours.
The actions are in response to the apparent stalling of Hurricane Felix off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina Thursday. Navy officials said the storm may remain in the same position for the next 48 to 72 hours.
There has been no change in the status of the 65 Norfolk-based ships deployed Tuesday to avoid the high winds and rough seas caused by Felix.
The crews of the ships were doing well riding out Felix in the Atlantic, Navy officials said.
``When you're 300 miles away from something like Felix and you can feel it in the sea, it tells a very direct story about why you don't want to be anywhere near it,'' Vice Adm. Jay L. Johnson said aboard his 2nd Fleet command ship, the Mount Whitney.
In a live radio-telephone interview with Ted Koppel on ABC News Nightline, Johnson said the fleet was doing well riding out the storm in 10- to 12-foot seas.
``I want to assure all our families,'' Johnson said, ``that we are safe and we intend to stay that way.''
Most of the fleet has been sent to a safe area north of Bermuda and about 700 miles from Norfolk.
Four ships that were initially south of the storm - the Guam, the Saipan, the Hayler and the Briscoe - are heading for the Mayport, Fla., Naval Base. Four other ships - the Apache, the Edenton, the Grasp and the Grapple - moved to an anchorage in the northern Chesapeake Bay.
The Navy plans to wait out Felix before ordering the fleet to return to Norfolk.
In another announcement, officials at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard said the Portsmouth facility will be open for all three shifts today. Liberal leave is in effect, however, and is encouraged for all employees.
The Navy exchange and commissary at the shipyard will be open for business.
KEYWORDS: HURRICANE FELIX by CNB