Courtesy graphic.

Inclement weather conditions reporting explained

CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- Although the Benelux region has a milder climate compared to other areas in Europe, it is wise to be informed when inclement weather hits the area. Garrison officials at U.S. Army Garrison Benelux installations will do everything they can to keep services running, but some weather conditions may result in changes in road conditions, school closures, work delays or temporary shutdown on some of the garrison services.

STAY CONNECTED

Go to the garrison's official website for updates. There is a link for IMCOM-Europe Road Conditions page under “Quick Links” and “Emergencies and Weather” sections. You can see what the road conditions are at any of the USAG Benelux locations. If road conditions remain the same, the date it was last updated will remain the same as well.

Community members are also advised to do the following:

Like the USAG Benelux Facebook pages: USAG Benelux (SHAPE and Chièvres), Brussels and Tri-Border Community.

Listen to American Forces Network, or AFN, Benelux at 107.9 FM (Chièvres and Volkel Air Base), 101.7 FM (Brussels), 106.2 FM (Kleine Brogel Air Base) 106.5 FM (SHAPE), 99.7 FM and 96.9 FM (Tri-Border area). You can also stream AFN 360 Radio.

Make sure you are registered in AtHoc, the garrison emergency messaging service. AtHoc alerts will be sent by phone and on your computer in case of closures or delays.

Check real-time traffic reports on the following websites:

• Belgium
• Germany
• The Netherlands

Use real-time traffic apps such as Waze, HERE WeGo and Google Maps on your phone. These apps can provide the up-to-date information on driving conditions.

KNOW ROAD AND DRIVING CONDITIONS TERMS

On the IMCOM-Europe Road Conditions website page, the road conditions are set at green, amber, red and black. These levels apply to military vehicles. For instance, the garrison shuttle will not run during red or black road conditions.

Next to the color-coded road conditions are the driving conditions. These are an advisory to drivers of privately-owned vehicles and are set as follows:

• Non-hazardous: Normal vehicle operations.
• Hazardous: Drivers are likely to encounter snow, slush and patches of black ice. Caution is advised.
• Dangerous: Drivers are likely to encounter snow, drifting snow, black ice and limited visibility. Extreme caution is advised.
• Extremely dangerous: Drivers are likely to encounter snow, heavy drifting snow, extreme sheet ice, limited visibility and potential "whiteout" conditions. Only emergency travel should be conducted.

Driving and road conditions do not dictate whether you should come to work, they are indicators that you should practice extra caution. Military Police evaluate road conditions at the most deteriorated spots on-post and in the surrounding communities, per defined factors. As a result, the road conditions for Chièvres may be different than the road conditions at SHAPE.

For SHAPE driving conditions, visit SHAPE2Day.com.

For JFC Brunssum driving conditions, follow the guidance for Schinnen.

UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS

The garrison commander and respective garrison managers determine work delays, early dismissals and closures. SHAPE, Brussels and JFC Brunssum officials decide on closing the schools.

Delayed reporting or garrison closure announcements will be made after 5 a.m. Upon notification, the IMCOM-Europe Road Conditions and School Closures website is updated. Information is aired on AFN, posted on the Facebook pages and sent via the AtHoc messaging service.

When a delay is announced at any of the USAG Benelux communities, employees in the affected area have extra travel time to report to work safely. All garrison support services will delay opening by the same time frame. This allows the Directorate of Public Works, or DPW, time to clear the roads and parking lots on posts.

Employees are responsible for their own safety and should make a conscious judgement prior to hit the road. They should contact their supervisor if they choose to request leave.

Unless specific information is issued on the Facebook pages or via the AtHoc messaging service, the community should expect work report times and services to start as usual.

Child Development Centers and School Age Centers are open to the children of mission-essential personnel only during work delays or closures. If an early closure is announced, non-mission essential personnel must pick up their children immediately. All other CYS facilities and programs will be closed in accordance with the garrison closure plan.

Story by USAG Benelux Public Affairs