Hurricane Forces Evacuation of 700 US Families from Guantanamo

Approximately 700 family members of those serving at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba were evacuated to US Navy base.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Approximately 700 family members of those serving at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba were evacuated to a Navy base in the US state of Florida, the US Defense Department said in a press release on Monday.

"Navy officials directed the evacuation of 700 family members from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba over the weekend in advance of approaching Hurricane Matthew," the release stated.

The families will stay at Naval Air Station Pensacola until they can safely return to Guantanamo Bay.

The release also noted the storm will not impact detainee operations or the 61 detainees who are at the base because both personnel and detainees are largely kept in solid concrete buildings, which would not be affected by strong winds from the hurricane.