Story by Michelle Cowart, Frontline Staff

The peak of hurricane season 2018 is rapidly approaching and Army Community Service will be standing by to help Soldiers and their Families prepare financially in the event a storm reaches hurricane status and impacts our area.

If a mandatory evacuation is ordered, Soldiers and their Families may come to ACS, building 86 to request financial assistance through the Army Emergency Relief program.

Pearson said individuals should bring an end of month leave and earning statement and power of attorney if a Family member's Soldier is deployed.

"A specific power of attorney that states Army Emergency Relief on it. If they do not have that, we can do an Army Regulation Form 55, but that would have to be emailed to the Soldier down range," said Pearson. "The Soldier will then sign it digitally and send that back but it will lengthen the process for the Family member receiving the assistance."

ACS usually extends their hours of operation during a mandatory evacuation to accommodate Soldiers and their Families who wish to apply for financial assistance. James Fleming, financial readiness program manager, urges those in need of financial assistance to speak to a financial counselor before they evacuate so they have money for food, gas and lodging.

After a hurricane, ACS coordinates an Emergency Family Assistance Center, a one stop, pop-up shop consisting of financial counselors, chaplains and other support agencies to aid Soldiers and Family members with damage claims and other community needs directly resulting from the crisis.

For more information on how to prepare for a hurricane, visit the Hurricane Center on the team Stewart website, www.stewart.army.mil.