All U.S. Navy ships in the Hampton Roads area have been ordered to sortie as the extremely dangerous Hurricane Florence barrels in on the U.S. East Coast.

In all, nearly 30 Navy ships will depart Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek as the category 4 hurricane is expected to bring high winds and rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast. The vessels will be directed to areas of the Atlantic where they will be postured for storm avoidance.

“Our ships can better weather storms of this magnitude when they are underway,” said U.S. Fleet Forces Commander Adm. Christopher Grady in a news release.

The Navy said several ships currently undergoing maintenance will need to stay in port, but extra precautions will be taken to avoid any potential damage. Some preparation options include adding additional mooring and storm lines, dropping the anchor and disconnecting shore power cables.

Hurricane Florence is being compared to the worst storm ever to hit North Carolina, Hurricane Hazel, occurring back in 1954.

Cruise ships with regular port calls in this area have been rerouted, and the U.S. Coast Guard has warned that those who do not evacuate might not be able to be helped once the storm arrives.

(U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jessica L. Dowell)