180910-N-MW694-0002 NORFOLK (Sept. 10, 2018) The guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) departs Naval Station Norfolk in preparation for Hurricane Florence. Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command ordered all Navy Ships in the Hampton Roads area to sortie on Sept. 10, 2018 ahead of Hurricane Florence. There are nearly 30 ships preparing to get underway from Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek as Hurricane Florence is forecasted to bring high winds and rain to the Mid-Atlantic coast. Ships will be directed to areas of the Atlantic where they will be best postured for storm avoidance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Caledon Rabbipal/Released)