Kansas guardsmen in Cuba safe as Hurricane Irma approaches

Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard’s 35th Military Police Company said they are safe and well, despite being in the path of Hurricane Irma as it approaches Cuba, where the unit is deployed.

“Right now, the current trajectory of Hurricane Irma has her passing to our north,” Capt. Nicky Inskeep said on the group’s Facebook page. “This trajectory will keep the worst of the storm surge away from our island, but still keep us in the outer rings. We are expecting tropical storm level winds that should not exceed 50 mph. Of course, we will be monitoring for flooding and associated power outages.”

In preparation for the storm, soldiers were told to move all items away from windows, secure all loose items around buildings, back up computer files, cover computer workstations with plastic bags or wrap and unplug all unnecessary equipment.

Inskeep said the hurricane may affect communications for a while.

“However, we have solid plans and we will all be sheltered for the duration of the storm,” she said. “The safety and well-being of your soldier is my number one priority.”

The Topeka-based company was deployed to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo in March. Members are expected to be deployed for approximately nine months.

This story was originally published September 7, 2017 at 9:33 AM with the headline "Kansas guardsmen in Cuba safe as Hurricane Irma approaches."