Early beginning to tornado season, Sheppard ready for bad weather

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Arthur Dietrich
  • 82 CES/CEX
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE,Texas --  Last Tuesday, Sheppard got an early taste of what we can expect this season for severe weather. A line of severe thunderstorms passed through the area, causing high winds and large hail. 

In fact, this same system produced a fatal tornado outside of Oklahoma City. 

In the United States, an average of 800 tornadoes strike each year causing on average 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries. Wichita Falls is in the southern corner of "Tornado Alley," the area of the country most prone to tornadoes. 

Tornadoes can strike any time of year, but are most prevalent from March to June. Most tornados strike between noon and midnight when air is the warmest. In 1979, one of the nation's deadliest and most costly tornados tore through southern Wichita Falls, killing 44. 

The primary method of survival during a tornado is to listen for and heed to warnings. 

Sheppard and Wichita Falls are covered by a tornado siren system. A "Tornado Watch" is issued when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms during tornado watches. 

A "Tornado Warning" is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Move to a pre-designated place of safety during tornado warnings. 

On base, a steady tone warns of an incoming tornado. Sheppard also sends out tornado warnings through the AtHOC computer warning system. When personnel receive warning of a tornado, get to a tornado shelter as quickly as possible. If outside or in a car, proceed to the nearest building immediately. Never try to outrun a tornado in a congested area. 

During the 1979 tornado, most of the 44 killed were in their cars trying to outrun the storm. Once in a shelter, wait for the all clear to be broadcast over the base public address and AtHOC system. Don't leave the shelter until confirmation has been given that the all clear has been issued. 

Be ready for the threat of tornadoes this season. Check for severe weather forecasts. At work, be familiar with the tornado shelter plan. Personnel should know where tornado shelters are in the work area and places frequently visited. Know how to get information on severe weather. 

At home, determine where the safest place is to shelter during a tornado warning. When severe weather threatens, listen for tornado warnings. Consider buying a weather radio, which can alert you to incoming storms while you sleep. 

Sheppard will participate in a regional severe weather exercise next Feb 24. Most base personnel, to include technical training students, will participate in this drill. Please listen for and respond to warnings as if it was an actual weather event. This may be the only chance to practice a tornado response before the real thing. 

All 82nd Training Wing personnel, to include trainees, are expected to participate in the exercise. Each unit, specifically training units, will be evaluated on their ability to carry out its severe weather plans. The 80th Flying Training Wing will continue normal flying operations. 

Finally, according to Air Education and Training Command Instruction10-205 and Sheppard Air Force Base Supplement 1, the following are exempt from severe weather sheltering:

- Base Operations dispatch desks, air traffic control facilities, switchboards, comm ctrs, fire/weather station and Emergency Services Department.
- Command Post , Unit Control Centers if hardened, liquid oxygen and nitrogen plants, and Petroleum, Oils and Lubricant hydrant systems. 
- Classrooms where promotion, career development, academic testing and satellite downlink programs are in progress. 
- Instructors, students and personnel actively supporting flight, simulator and ground training for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training mission.
- Security forces posts.
- Sheppard Elementary School, Base Exchange facilities, commissary, credit union, bank and post office.
- Religious services and ministrations.
- Munitions storage area, if security would be jeopardized.
- Military court facility.
- Data processing centers.
- Military Family Housing occupants are not required to shelter unless they choose to participate.

For more information or questions about preparedness for severe weather, call Readiness and Emergency Management at 676-1173.