Brig. Gen. Austin E. Renforth, commanding general, MCRD Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region has authorized an evacuation of non-essential Department of Defense personnel aboard Parris Island effective this evening, Oct. 4 due to inclement weather expected from Hurricane Matthew.

Non-essential military personnel, non-essential civilian employees, and their family residing in the local area are authorized to evacuate to a safe location.

Only essential personnel, late release/early return personnel, and anyone supporting the recruit graduation should report to work tomorrow, Oct 5.

As previously released earlier, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island will conduct the graduation and naturalization ceremony of Charlie Company tomorrow, Oct 5 at 11 a.m. in the All-Weather Training Facility.

The decision has been made to request commercial buses to evacuate recruits currently in training, if deemed necessary. If the decision to evacuate recruits is decided they will be transported to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga.

A select group of Marines have already left to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany today in advance of a potential evacuation to prepare to receive additional Marines, sailors, and recruits.

MCRD Parris Island is continuing to monitor Hurricane Matthew and will conduct appropriate follow-on actions as deemed necessary in accordance with updated weather conditions.

Updated weather information regarding Parris Island will be made available at the following sources:

MCRD PI Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ParrisIsland

The weather hotline for Parris Island at 1-800-343-0639 (Option 3)