Tinker weather officer explains common terms

Published March 18, 2016
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE Okla., -- If you've lived in Oklahoma longer than a week, you know the weather changes quickly. Weather in the springtime can get a little sketchy, so it is imperative to stay aware.

Severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail and, of course, tornadoes typically occur between March and May. Although, Capt. Casey Neuville, 72nd Operations Support Squadron Wing Weather Officer, said tornadoes can occur anytime, anywhere.

"Severe weather isn't just for tornadoes, but can include lightning, strong winds, hail and flooding," Captain Neuville said, adding that flooding causes the most deaths and people should never drive into water.

Captain Neuville said the important thing is for people to have a plan in place.
"New people to Oklahoma shouldn't assume the worst," he said. "You'll know if it will be a bad day with the media weather coverage, Tinker AFB weather notifications and the National Weather Service notifications."

The Tinker AFB weather flight, which assesses the weather 24/7, will issue advisories, watches or warnings and it is important to know the difference between the three. For the purpose of this story, Tinker AFB will be the location affected.

A weather advisory notifies people when an established environmental condition affecting operations is occurring or is expected. Observed weather advisories remain valid until the criteria is no longer occurring and has not occurred in the last 30 minutes. Advisories are issued to keep people aware of weather situations that are not thought to be life-threatening.

Weather watches are special notices to installation personnel and supported units of a potential for weather conditions of such intensity as to pose a hazard to life or property. These watches are used by installation personnel and supported units to make force protection decisions. Watches are issued for a 5 nautical mile radius of the center point of the Tinker runway complex. Most watches will be issued two hours before a warning is issued.

A weather warning is issued to notify installation personnel when an established intense weather condition that could pose a hazard to life or property is occurring or is expected to occur. Weather warnings provide concise information outlining environmental threats and are used by commanders and personnel to make resource protection decisions and take protective action. Warnings are issued for a 5 nautical mile radius at the center point of the runway, unless otherwise specified.

The base has slightly different criteria for issuing tornado warnings than the off-base media uses. According to Captain Neuville, the base could issue a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning, even if local communities have not. The Tinker weather flight sounds the base sirens when there is a tornado threat to the installation.

"If the situation is progressing and it looks like severe weather could happen, the base will issue a warning to be safe and to protect personnel and equipment," he said.

Steve Serrette, with the 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office, said it is incumbent upon everyone to be aware of their community's warning system as some communities have different methods of warning their residents.

Local media will issue watches and warnings according to an entire county, while Tinker is primarily concerned within 5 nautical miles of the airfield center, said Captain Neuville.

When faced with a weather warning for your area, Mr. Serrette said, "Your choice should be driven by your specific circumstance."

To sign up for severe weather text messages, base personnel need to update their information in AtHoc by clicking on the purple globe in lower right corner of the computer screen and select "Update My Info."

"Protecting our resources is our No. 1 priority," said Captain Neuville. "People are, of course, the Air Force's top resource."

Tips to stay safe in severe weather:
· When a watch is issued, be prepared! Make sure you know where your shelter area is in case of a tornadic event and know of places to take shelter from severe thunderstorms and lightning.
· When a warning is issued, it's time to take action and take precaution. Move to a safe interior area like a bathroom, and if possible get out of mobile homes or weakly structured buildings and take shelter in a stronger building or storm shelter. Have a plan in place!
· No place is safe outside when thunderstorms are in the area. When lightning occurs, stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that puts you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid plumbing, stay away from windows, keep off porches and keep off concrete floors and walls. Do not shelter under an isolated tree and avoid objects that conduct electricity including areas of water.
Corey Morgan, emergency management specialist with the 72nd Air Base Wing-CEX, said Tinker members should pay attention to the lightning warnings that come over the af.mil network.
"You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than you do of winning the lottery," he said. "There's an estimated one in 600,000 chance."
The base has plenty of areas and structures that are higher-risk locations for lightning hits: avoid open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, rain or picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, communications towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, golf carts and water.
· Avoid walking or driving into flooded areas. Do not underestimate the force and power of water. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock over an adult while 12 inches of rushing water can carry away a small car. Two feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles. When flooding occurs, turn around and don't drown!
· Underground shelters (including basements and storm cellars) are the safest bet for all living creatures. Safe rooms are next, but if you do not have access to either, a small windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the next safest alternative.
· If you can safely get lower than the roadway, exit the car and lie in the ditch, covering your head with your hands.
"It is not time to hesitate when the warning 'take cover now' comes through over the local warning system, be it radio, TV or otherwise," said Mr. Serrette. "Do not wait until you see the tornado before trying to decide where your safe spot is going to be."

Tornado preparedness kit:
Capt. Casey Neuville, 72nd Operations Support Squadron Wing Weather Officer, advises everyone to make an emergency kit. In a large bin or tub with a lid, place photos and items you don't want to lose. Other items to include in the kit are:
· Water, 1 gallon per person, per day
· Food
· Battery powered or hand cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio
· Flashlight and extra batteries
· First aid kit and manual
· Whistle to call for help
· Dust mask
· Can opener
· Cell phone and extra charger
· Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
· Medications / extra glasses
· Pet supplies
· Copies of important papers in a waterproof container
· Blankets and extra clothing