“I give you my personal assurance we are going to take care of everyone on this base,” Alford said. “Since 1941, this base and its Marines have been postured to deal with crises at home and abroad and Hurricane Florence is no exception. Marines take care of each other, and I will expend every available resource to make sure that happens.”

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The decision was made as commanders at several other military bases in the Carolinas ordered mandatory evacuations, and as the projected path of Florence shows it passing right near Camp Lejeune, on the coast about 45 miles northeast of Wilmington. Numerous parents and spouses took to social media to express outrage about the decision, saying that it could be dangerous and complicated hurricane preparation for Marines who have families in the area.

Alford issued another Facebook statement Tuesday night, rebutting comments that his decision was made because federal money wasn’t available to evacuate the base.

“Let me be clear, the decision NOT to mandate evacuation was made after my assessment of the situation,” he said. “As mentioned in my earlier statement, this base is well-prepared to face the oncoming storm. The commands and personnel who remain are well-postured to react to situations and will be working together, like Marines always do in battle, to get through Hurricane Florence.”

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Alford added that Marines who decided that they would rather leave were allowed to do so. Some Marines, he added, have nowhere to go, or vehicle to get there, “so we will take care of them here aboard the base.”

Shelters for Marines and their families were expected to open at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Camp Lejeune and a smaller base nearby, Marine Corps Air Station New River. People using them are asked to bring a three-day supply of food for each person, along with supplies such as diapers and toiletries. Marine officials warned that the conditions will not be comfortable.