Exchange Prepared to Support Military Communities During Hurricane Season
Experts are predicting a busy Atlantic hurricane season for 2024 and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is standing ready to take care of any affected military communities.
Since before the official start of hurricane season June 1, the Exchange has been working with local commands to ensure PXs and BXs are ready to support potential recovery and relief missions. Exchanges can also request extra emergency items ahead of storms to secure adequate stock.
Merchandising teams at Exchange headquarters have boosted inventory of high-demand items, such as batteries, flashlights, generators and bottled water, at distribution centers so products can be shipped quickly to stores.
“The Exchange has infrastructure and resources in place to support military communities when disasters, such as hurricanes, strike,” said Roger Neumann, vice president of contingency plans. “Working in unison with installation leaders, we are fully prepared and committed to support our communities.”
Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30. The Exchange’s Disaster Support Group, a global team composed of Exchange leaders, also monitors weather and works closely with local command through PX and BX teams to keep the organization responsive.
The Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center houses mobile field Exchanges, semi-trailer trucks stocked with food, water and hygiene products, and deploys them at command request to communities affected by disastrous weather events.
The Exchange has long supported communities after severe weather, such as hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017, Hurricane Michael in 2018 and Typhoon Mawar in 2023.
