NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Navy bases in Virginia are making preparations for Hurricane Sandy.

The commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic ordered all installations in southeast Virginia on Friday to operate under Tropical Cyclone Condition Three.

That means base personnel are being told to remove debris from drainage areas and to secure objects that could be blown away and cause injuries or damage during a storm. Tropical Cyclone Condition Three is set when destructive winds exceeding 50 knots are possible within 48hours.

The order applies to bases such as Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach as well as Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval installation. Friday’s order also applies to Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey and Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg in Pennsylvania.

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