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Severe Weather Awareness Week kicks off Monday

  • Published
  • 78th OSS Weather
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Georgia will observe Severe Weather Awareness Week Monday through Feb. 10.

At Robins, the week is spearheaded by the 78th Operations Support Squadron's Weather Flight. This year's emphasis continues to be on preparedness.

"Severe weather continues to impact lives in middle Georgia," said Capt. Devan Lynch, weather flight commander. "(With) the occurrence of two significant tornadoes within a 40-mile radius of Robins in the last four years, coupled with several dozen reports of damaging winds and hail, we have to be ready for anything. There simply is no place for a complacent attitude."

Severe weather conditions such as strong thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, flash floods and tornadoes all threaten this region, and a good awareness effort considers them all. In an average year, the state of Georgia experiences six days with tornadoes, seven days with large hail greater than or equal to 1 inch, and 19 days with storms which produce damaging winds.

This year, weather flight team members will be disseminating severe weather literature to Team Robins. In partnership with the Houston County Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service, base employees who are residents of the county will be provided additional information on emergency notification processes such as CODE RED alerts and NOAA weather radio purchase assistance vouchers.

"We were very impressed last year with the response of the Robins community and want do even better this year," said Roddy Nixon, Jr., weather flight science and training officer.

Tech. Sgt. Jodi Janssen, weather flight mission services NCOIC agreed.

"All individuals should heed to a simple concept; a watch implies preparation and a warning requires immediate action," he said.

The weather flight and its collaborating partners emphasize that it's critical for individuals, families, businesses, and communities to have plans, test those plans, and adjust their plans as needed. The Robins weather flight encourages everyone to know safe evacuation routes and shelter locations, to stock emergency kits, and to practice disaster response.

Information can be downloaded by clicking the "weather" link on the right-hand side of the Robins Air Force Base public homepage at www.robins.af.mil.

Applicable severe weather watches and warnings for Robins include:

*Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

*Tornado Warning: Issued when a strong rotation in a thunderstorm is indicated by Doppler weather radar or a tornado is sighted by trained personnel.

*Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. A severe thunderstorm contains hail larger than 3/4 of an inch in diameter or damaging winds greater than 58 mph (50 knots or greater). Isolated tornadoes are also possible.

*Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe thunderstorm is indicated by Doppler weather radar or sighted by trained personnel. A severe thunderstorm contains hail larger than 3/4 of an inch in diameter or damaging winds greater than 58 mph (50 knots or greater). Isolated tornadoes can and do occur with little warning.

*Lightning Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development and occurrence of lightning in and close to the watch area.

*Lightning Watch: Issued when lightning has been observed within a designated radius. NOTE: When severe weather is forecast, a message is sent to the Robins Command Post, which uses either the Giant Voice or siren system to alert the base populace. - Courtesy 78th OSS Weather Flight