Robins assesses damage after the storm Published April 8, 2011 By Kendahl Johnson 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The hurricane-force winds which ripped across the state Tuesday caused severe property damage and even death in some areas. Base employees and residents escaped injury, but buildings and landscape on the installation weren't as lucky. At press time, a Damage Assessment Team was continuing to evaluate the storm's impact on Robins. Members of the team had examined 17 facilities and 10 areas around the installation by Wednesday, but high winds were keeping it from gathering data on the full extent of the damage. According to Chris Parish, production controller, the emergency desk in the 78th Civil Engineer Group received more than 40 calls from individuals reporting storm damage. Some of the damage has already been repaired, but Parrish said the base won't have a total repair cost estimate, or a completion date for repairs, until all damage has been assessed. Bldg. 169, which houses workers in the 574th Commodities Maintenance Squadron, received severe damage, losing large portions of the roof and several window panes. Night shift employees followed severe weather procedures and relocated to the designated shelter-in-place to ensure their safety. "The supervisor on duty, Paul Harrell, acted quickly to ensure the safety of employees in the building during the storm," said George Pierce, 574th Composite Repair Flight director. Also suffering severe damage was Bldg. 82, an aircraft hangar. The building lost a roofing panel, lightning protection, and gutters, and some equipment was damaged by water. A structural engineer recommended the building be closed temporarily until repairs could be made. In addition to damage to several other buildings, the base experienced damage to fences, awnings, transformers, and light and flag poles. Dozens of trees were also upended or uprooted. Due, in part, to the storm, Robins leaders have scheduled a base-wide cleanup April 15 from 8 a.m. to noon.