Brig. Gen. Austin E. Renforth, commanding general, MCRD Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region determined the safest course of action regarding the approximately 6,000 recruits in training is to evacuate to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany today, Oct 5 due to inclement weather from Hurricane Matthew.

A select group of Marines left to MCLB Albany yesterday, Oct 4 in advance of recruits evacuating in order to set conditions necessary to receive additional Marines, sailors, and recruits. Buses were also requested yesterday to prepare to evacuate recruits currently in training.

An additional group of Marines are departed within the hour to assist in planning efforts and coordination with MCLB Albany leadership.

Non-essential military personnel, non-essential civilian employees, and their family residing in the local area were given authorization yesterday, Oct 4 to evacuate to a safe location.

Recruit training will resume aboard Parris Island when conditions are met for safe travel back to the Depot from MCLB Albany and when training can be properly conducted here.

The graduation of Charlie Company, originally scheduled for Friday, occurred at 11 a.m. today in an effort to expedite the departure of new Marines and their families ahead of inclement weather.

Updated 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)

High resolution photos and B-roll of evacuation efforts and actions aboard both installations will be posted at the following link when available: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCRD-PI.