In the face of Hurricane Hilary, Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado, and Naval Base Point Loma are taking swift action to protect their fleets. As a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph, Hilary poses a significant threat to the area. In response, the U.S. Navy announced on Friday night that it would deploy its ships and submarines to safer locations at sea until the storm passes over the region.
Vice Adm. Michael Boyle, Commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, expressed his concerns for the safety of sailors, ships, and the infrastructure. "In order to ensure the safety of our Sailors and ships, we are taking all necessary measures to mitigate potential damage to infrastructure and Third Fleet vessels caused by the storm," he said in an interview with FOX 5 San Diego. "Safety remains our top priority, and putting all capable ships to sea makes it easier for us to manage the situation ashore."
Apart from deploying the naval fleets, the Navy is also securing aircraft in hangars strong enough to withstand winds more powerful than anticipated. Military aircraft will be secured at Naval Air Station North Island and Naval Air Facility El Centro as per CBS 8.
The National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning for San Diego County late Friday night, upgrading it from the first-ever Tropical Storm Watch issued earlier on Friday morning. Under this warning, the storm is anticipated to weaken as it moves closer to land and encounters colder ocean waters to the north. This will cause the storm to lose momentum and gradually downgrade to a Category 1 storm along the northern Baja coast according to CBS 8.
For ships remaining in port, additional measures will be taken to avoid potential damage.
