Team Dyess prepares for tornadoes

  • Published
  • By 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  March through June is the peak months for tornados in West Texas, but they can occur anytime of the year. Understanding how tornado watches and warnings are issued on-base and for the city of Abilene is more important now than any other time of the year.

During a severe weather event, the 26th Operational Weather Squadron at Barksdale AFB La., coordinates with the Dyess AFB weather flight to issue a tornado watch when conditions are favorable for tornado development within five miles of the base.

A tornado warning is issued when a certified observer, law enforcement representative or an air traffic controller has sighted a tornado, or when radar indicates one will threaten the base.

Dyess weather flight provides at least 30 minutes of warning, if possible, before a tornado impacts the base. The National Weather Service issues tornado warnings for Abilene and the rest of Taylor County based on the same criteria as the Dyess weather flight, but they are not required to give 30 minutes of warning.

"Thirty minutes of lead time on a tornado warning is critical so that flightline workers can have time to secure aircraft and equipment, air traffic must be diverted as needed, and individuals must seek shelter," said Master Sgt. Kimberly Hayes, NCO in charge of Dyess' weather flight.

When a tornado warning is issued on base, the forecaster informs command post of where the tornado is or where it was indicated on radar, how fast it's moving and when it's expected to impact the base. Command post then sounds the warning sirens for three to five minutes.

Local television and radio stations as well as the internet issue severe weather watches and warnings for Taylor County and not specifically for Dyess AFB. This is why the base may have a tornado warning and the city of Abilene does not.

In the event of a tornado, people should avoid windows, stay on the first floor and hide in some sort of interior room such as a closet or bathroom.

"The dangers of severe storms come in many forms," Hale said. "Lightning is associated with all thunderstorms and can strike as far as 25 miles from the storm. Microbursts, extremely strong winds produced by a collapsing thunderstorm, can exceed 90 mph and hit all at once. In July of 1999 a 104 mph wind hit creating havoc as it moved through the area."

Dyess has never been touched by a tornado, but there have been 64 tornadoes in Taylor County dating back to 1951.

Individuals should update their personal information by clicking on the purple globe at the bottom right hand of the screen on a government computer system to receive severe weather updates via text message, personal email or phone call.

People interested in seeing the weather station, even during a thunderstorm event, call (325) 696-2501.