An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

DoD Ready to Respond After Hurricane Nate

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Defense Department personnel stand ready to respond in the Gulf Coast for any request for assistance following Hurricane Nate.

Sailor looks through binoculars.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Justinne Ivanitsky stands port lookout during sea-and-anchor evolutions aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York, Oct. 7, 2017. The ship departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., to support the Gulf coast region in the event assistance is needed in the wake of Hurricane Nate. Navy photo by Seaman Michael Lehman
Sailor looks through binoculars.
USS New York Preapares to Assist FEMA in the Gulf Coast
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Justinne Ivanitsky stands port lookout during sea-and-anchor evolutions aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York, Oct. 7, 2017. The ship departed Naval Station Mayport, Fla., to support the Gulf coast region in the event assistance is needed in the wake of Hurricane Nate. Navy photo by Seaman Michael Lehman
Photo By: Seaman Michael Lehman
VIRIN: 171007-N-PC620-0045
 

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis pre-approved DoD lifesaving and life-sustaining support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to the hurricane.

The storm, which has since weakened to a tropical depression, made its first landfall last night in southeastern Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center, and made its second landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi, also as a Category 1 storm.

Northcom Fully Engaged

U.S. Northern Command is fully engaged with federal, state and territorial mission partners as the command balances support to the response for Hurricane Maria and the planning for and pre-positioning of DoD assets in preparation for Hurricane Nate.

Northcom has activated defense coordinating officers with defense supporting staff elements to the FEMA regional response coordinating centers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and in Atlanta. The DoD personnel will be able to provide the states and regions with DoD regional knowledge, requirements validation and liaison, officials said, adding that the command's Marine Forces North component will be the lead component if there is a request to respond.

The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York, along with components of Fleet Surgical Team 8, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons 40 and 46 departed Naval Station Mayport, Florida, yesterday to support the Gulf Coast region in the event assistance is requested.

The USS New York is capable of providing medical support, maritime civil affairs, maritime security, expeditionary logistic support, medium and heavy lift air support, and it brings diverse skills, including assessment and security.

Leaning Forward

DoD is also leaning forward to support states that may potentially be affected by the hurricane, preparing a search and rescue package and coordinating element, light-, medium- and heavy-lift helicopters, an air expeditionary group for support operations, an E-3 Airborne Early Warning and Control System, trucks and general-purpose boats, officials said.

Additionally, Northcom officials said, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, has stood up as an installation support base to support the staging of response personnel and provide assets to support the distribution of supplies to affected areas.

Northcom's mission is to assist lead federal relief agencies in helping those affected by natural disasters to minimize suffering while continuing its mission of defending the homeland.

(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)

Related Stories