Exchanges Go Above and Beyond During Hurricane Matthew
Fort Bragg South food court. The food court suffered the most damage of all Exchange facilities in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. It reopened just three days after the storm passed over the installation.
Exchanges in the path of Hurricane Matthew worked diligently to ensure Soldiers, Airmen and their families received the support they and their families needed.
Managers and associates in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia were at the ready in the days leading up to the storm’s anticipated landfall—and jumped into action to serve customers affected by the hurricane after the storm passed.
Most stores in the path of the storm sustained minimal damage but were at least partially operational almost as soon as the installations reopened.
First on installations after storm
“Our Exchange teammates were the first on the installation to reopen after Hurricane Matthew passed through the area,” said Col. Townley Hedrick, Fort Stewart, Ga., garrison commander. “Their dedication in getting fuel and food to customers after the storm played a huge role in comforting our Soldiers and their families, and helping restore a sense of normalcy to Fort Stewart.”
In the days leading up to the storm, the Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va, provided immediate response to emergency orders from Joint Base Langely-Eustis, Forts Stewart and Jackson, as well as JB Charleston, S.C., and Patrick AFB, Fla. Items, such as water, batteries, generators and flashlights, were rushed to stores ahead of the hurricane’s projected landfall.
Exchange managers at affected locations also worked with command to determine how best to assist in preparing for the storm, attending multiple hurricane briefings with installation leadership.
I’m really appreciative of all the Exchange did to prepare for this storm. It’s nice to see that they’re really there to take care of the military family.
—Airman Morgan Howard
Exchanges worked with command
At JB Langley-Eustis, the Military Clothing store stayed open longer to ensure personnel with the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element, who were deployed to Haiti to assist in hurricane relief, would be able to gather any necessary supplies before taking off. The store also provided free water to base personnel working to secure the installation ahead of the storm.
Fort Jackson is three hours inland from the coast. There, facilities stayed open past Columbus Day holiday hours to allow service members and families to gather everything they needed in the aftermath of the storm.
The day after the storm, facilities at Fort Jackson and nearby Shaw AFB reopened and were the only stores in the community with hot food, ice and gas in the storm’s immediate aftermath.
At JB Charleston, the Exchange worked with command to obtain preparedness fliers and emergency exit routes, which were prominently displayed in the store alongside emergency necessities.
The day after the storm, 11 associates descended upon the still-shuttered base alongside base recovery personnel to assess damage and prepare the store for the return of the base population the following day.
