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Charlatan has strengthened into hurricane with sustained winds of 85 mph. The storm is expected to continue to strengthen as it moves rapidly toward the upper Texas coast. Hurricane Charlatan is expected to be a major hurricane by the time of landfall, with widespread damage from wind and flooding. JSC should expect tropical storm winds in about 36 hours. Regardless of where the storm makes landfall, heavy rain is expected. Severe storms with high rainfall rate and storm surge impacts are likely, and isolated tornadoes are possible.
JSC Center Operations is moving to Hurricane Level 2 (Center Closure) in anticipation of Hurricane Charlatan.
If the Center were facing the simulated impact we expect from Charlatan, the Center close to all but essential personnel today. Employees would be told to work with their supervisor and management to determine their work status. Employees may be required to report to work or telework even if the Center is closed to all but essential personnel. Center Closure information would be sent to all employees via email and text from the Agency Emergency Notification System (ENS).
(Note: Closure info will not be sent as part of this exercise, but there will be a test of the ENS tomorrow. Employees are not released from normal duties.)
Before leaving site today, employees should cover sensitive equipment in plastic, if possible, move items off the floor, and raise the blinds in their office. Employees should configure all equipment and systems to minimize adverse effects from a loss of power, as cooling and power may intentionally or inadvertently be shut down.
(Simulation only – Employees do not need to shut down equipment as a part of the exercise, but they should be encouraged to think about how they would configure their office in the event of a storm. )
Employees should plan to take their NASA laptop if they plan to evacuate, or they should take precautions to protect it if staying.
Refer to the Facilities Management Operations Division (FMOD) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) (https://www9.jsc.nasa.gov/DIS/Admin/Documents/2025SOP_FMOD_v3_20250421_Final.pdf) for a full listing of Level 2 tasks.
Monitor www.jscsos.com for Center status and watch for notifications on NASA Safe and from the NASA Emergency Notification System (ENS).
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