ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Ana, Bill, Claudette and Danny. These names may not mean anything now, but once the 2009 tropical storm and hurricane season begins, they could become as familiar as Camille, Hugo and Katrina.
As hurricane season begins this week, many Team Andrews members stand ready to combat these storms should one head toward the Washington Metro area.
"We have annual exercises between March and April that help us get ready and in the right mindset well before hurricane season hits," said Randy Sena, 316th Wing exercises, plans and inspections chief.
"We plan, plan, plan, so installation members are prepared in the event we should be affected by a hurricane here," Mr. Sena said.
The last hurricane to affect the base was Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which had wind speeds of up to 69 miles per hour; trees fell and it caused a major power outage.
"We're at an advantage with a hurricane because everyone knows it is coming," Mr. Sena said. "Hurricanes are really regimented events, meaning they are not spur-of-the-moment, so when we see a hurricane headed our way, we start planning about 72 hours out."
The 72-hour time frame is broken down into four stages, otherwise known as 'HURCON.' These stages are categorized by the storm's wind speed and the time the tropical storm or hurricane is to hit land. For instance, if the base is under HURCON 4 conditions, it means that 50-knot winds, or more, are expected in 72 hours; HURCON 3 means 50-knot winds are expected in 48 hours; HURCON 2 means 50-knot winds are expected in 24 hours, and finally, the HURCON 1 stage means 50-knot winds are expected in 12 hours.
If it looks like the hurricane will hit Andrews directly, the base will begin evacuating aircraft 24 hours prior to the storm's arrival. However, Mr. Sena notes personnel would most likely not be evacuated since most buildings on base can withstand strong winds.
"There will be an evacuation, however, if we have a Category 4 or a Category 5 headed our way, but it's very unusual; something that only happens every 100 years or so," Mr. Sena said.
In 2003, when Hurricane Isabel hit, the aircraft were sent away.
The 316th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency management Flight and the base's weather flight are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at Andrews.
"Our mission at the readiness and emergency management flight is to develop and maintain plans for contingency, mobility and recovery," said Staff Sgt. Shaun Renn, readiness and emergency management plans and operations element NCO. "We also assist in developing disaster preparedness plans, including measures to minimize casualties and damage from natural disasters."
Sergeant Renn said that his flight has pre-identified natural disaster shelters on base, including the Community Activities Center, the East and West Fitness Centers and Hangar 3. These four meeting places are not to be used as actual shelters during an actual storm, though.
"We want Team Andrews to know that these shelters will be used as a rally point for personnel to be informed of what actions the base leadership have decided will be best for Andrews personnel - whether it's to stay on base or evacuate the area for a certain distance until the hurricane passes," Sergeant Renn explained.
Were a tropical storm or hurricane to hit this area, Team Andrews and base residents would receive notifications and updates through e-mail, the base's Giant Voice system, the Air Force District of Washington IWS system and the Commander's Access Channel.
Sergeant Renn suggests that Team Andrews members create a hurricane plan in the event of a storm hitting the area.
"Just like a fire evacuation plan, you need to have a hurricane evacuation plan, especially if you plan on leaving the area. Just like a fire drill, make sure you know what to do when the time comes to execute the plan," he said. "The most important part the plan is to include a hurricane kit that includes basic life and financial support you will need after a disaster. You need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for least three days to two weeks. Having knowledge of what can happen and having a plan in hand are the most important things a servicemember and dependents can do to prepare."
The 316th Wing Operations Support Squadron weather operations shop is mindful of the fact that three hurricanes have impacted the D.C. metropolitan area in the past 13 years; in addition to Hurricane Isabel, Hurricane Floyd affected the area in 1999 and Hurricane Fran hit the area in 1996.
"The weather office has the responsibility of relaying hurricane forecast information from the National Hurricane Center to our base leadership," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Liska, 316th Operations Support Squadron weather operations assistant weather flight chief. "When a hurricane gets within approximately 750 nautical miles of Andrews, we begin to brief leadership on the track and potential impacts of the storm, which drives the wing commander's decision to initiate 'HURCON' conditions. As the storm approaches the weather station, we issue appropriate weather watches and warnings, but it is ultimately the 316th Wing commander's decision to determine whether or not to initiate a partial or total base evacuation or to ride out the storm."
Sergeant Liska said many people have the misconception that a hurricane consists of just rain and high winds, but he noted that tornadoes can be in the mix, as well.
Team Andrews members who want to create their hurricane plans can obtain information from the Red Cross at www.redcross.org and the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov.