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Fairchild begins cleanup effort after severe storm

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michael Means
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The base experienced a severe storm Sunday that generated from a line of thunderstorms that moved into the area causing considerable damage.

"The thunderstorms generated a microburst and associated wind outflows which produced the 65 mph we experienced," said Staff Sgt. Lindsey Pleasant, 92nd Operations Squadron weather flight NCO in charge. "Thunderstorms capable of producing microbursts of this magnitude are classified as severe and typically produce frequent lightning, hail, occasional tornado activity in addition to severe winds."

Emergency crews began work immediately following the storm to clear all roads, alert routes and any potential hazards.

On Monday, clean-up efforts began with 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron heavy repair crews removing fallen trees and large limbs, while Skilskin started removal of leaves, small branches and brush.

"Surprisingly, there was minimal infrastructure damage," said Capt. Robert Loniewsky, 92nd CES operations flight commander. "Most of the damage was fallen trees, with the exception of some vehicle damage in housing. "

The only major impact was at the Clear Lake resort where a limb fell on the electrical power feed to one of the cabins, causing power outage for the entire area. Power has been restored to the area, but the affected cabin remains down.

"Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and severe thunderstorms despite advance warning," said Pleasant. "Some did not hear the warning; others heard the warning, but did not believe it would happen to them."

The following preparedness information, combined with timely severe weather watches and warnings provided by the base weather flight, may save your life in the future.
  • Know the risk for the area in which you live or visit.
  • Discuss thunderstorm safety with all members of your household.
  • National Weather Service watches and warnings are available on the Internet. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/otx/
  • Even though the weather may be calm at the time a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch or warning is issued for your area, conditions can rapidly deteriorate and become life threatening. Always heed warnings even if warnings issued for your area in the past did not result in severe weather. Don't gamble with your life.
  • Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms can and do occur at any location, any time of day or night and any time of year given the right atmospheric conditions.
  • Having a safe room in your home or office can help provide "near-absolute protection" for you and your family or your coworkers from injury or death caused by extreme winds.
  • Whenever a warning for a severe thunderstorm is issued by the NWS or the base weather flight, please take shelter indoors. If you are outdoors and can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck by lightning. There is no safe place outdoors when a thunderstorm is nearby.
For more information regarding what to do during a severe storm visit the link provided by the National Weather Service at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/resources/ttl6-10.pdf

The base is asking for help in policing the area and placing debris in a central location where crews can haul it away.

If there is damage around your building, notify a facility manager to contact CES Customer Service at 247-2302. If your home has suffered significant damage and you need a place to stay, contact your first sergeant for assistance. For those living on base, contact Balfour Beatty Communities at 509-244-6500 to report damage.