DVIDS – News – FEMA prepares for Hurricane Helene landfall and sets up operations base at Maxwell AFB

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Alabama – As Hurricane Helene approaches the southeastern United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the 42nd Air Base Wing, has established an operational support base at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

FEMA officials have been preparing equipment and essential supplies for distribution to potentially affected areas along the Gulf Coast. Since September 24, more than 450 trucks carrying essential supplies such as meals, water, cots and generators have arrived at a hurricane relief area at Maxwell Airfield.

“Maxwell has a massive airfield that can accommodate hundreds of trucks and equipment while maintaining air operations,” said Lt. Col. Ara Bartemes, Operations Support Squadron commander. “It's great to work with our federal partners from FEMA and the U.S. Army of Corps Engineers. We are always ready to support them if needed.”

Supplies were shipped from the Atlanta Distribution Center to enable pre-positioning and rapid distribution following Hurricane Helene's landfall.

“The key to a successful response to a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene is preparation,” said FEMA spokesman Arthur Manning. “By pre-positioning these supplies in a strategic location like Maxwell, we can quickly distribute them to the areas that need them most.”

FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.

“It's a lot of hard work, but we have people who really enjoy helping others,” Manning said. “Our priority is to support government requests for goods and resources to keep their residents and communities safe.”

Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall in the southeastern United States later this week, with the potential to become a Category 4 storm. Residents in the Florida Keys and along Florida's west coast are urged to take all necessary precautions to prepare for the storm.