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Delaware Guard battles tornado, flood
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Public Affairs Officer, Delaware National Guard (10/1/2004) — Usually, when Mother Nature wreaks havoc, the Delaware National Guard is out in force helping the citizens of Delaware. This time, we were the victims. As the remnants of Hurricane Jeanne blew through Delaware on Tuesday, Sep. 28, we were busy preparing to assist those affected by the heavy rains and imminent flooding. At 4:14 p.m., a tornado touched down on the New Castle County Air Base, home of the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Airlift Wing. "While the tornado caused significant damage, we are quite fortunate we only had a few minor injuries," said Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, adjutant general, Delaware National Guard. The tornado damaged five of the seven C-130H aircraft parked on the 166th’s ramp. Each aircraft weighs in excess of 100,000 pounds. Despite their weight, some aircraft were twirled around more than 360 degrees, one was picked up and slammed to the ground, and two were pushed into each other. Strangely, a mere 100 yards away, a line of plastic construction cones remained unmoved. "While the situation is still being assessed, there is a likelihood we will not be able to repair three or four of the aircraft," said Col. Karl Kromer, the 166th’s Maintenance Group Commander. With that in mind, Delaware’s Congressional delegation was quick to request financial assistance from the Pentagon, the Office of Management and Budget, and Senate and House Appropriators. They have asked for $300 million dollars to repair or replace the aircraft and also repair the damaged buildings and infrastructure on base. The tornado cut its path across the runways and ramp, mangling about 1,500 ft. of fence line and a number of small work and storage sheds. It then picked up and crushed a construction trailer and smashed into the front gate guard building before skipping over the backed up traffic on Del. State Route 141 and destroying a self-storage facility and an electrical warehouse. Countless car windows were blown out, rooftop materials sucked into the tornados’ funnel and debris was strewn across the once-pristine Air Base. "Two of our security personnel working at the front gate and another in a vehicle entering the base received minor injuries from the flying debris. They were taken to the Christiana Hospital, treated, released and are doing fine," said 166th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Ernie Talbert. Even though there were still heavy rains and it was dark, troops immediately started the damage assessment and cleanup. Shortly after 9 p.m., Del. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner called out the Guard - not for the tornado cleanup, but to assist in evacuation and rescue operations to the many flooded areas in New Castle County. "Overnight we assisted DEMA (Delaware Emergency Management Agency), local law enforcement agencies, and first responders, with 15 troops and five vehicles," said Lt. Col. Dallas Wingate, Plans & Operations Specialist for Military Support. Delaware National Guardsmen evacuated families from the often-flooded Glennville area as raging flood waters trapped the residents. The Guardsmen also assisted many local law enforcement officials by providing transportation for damage assessments. However, the most dangerous mission was the rescue of 25 people trapped on the second-story of a bussing company. Firefighters responded to a call for help at approximately 7:30 pm. For the first 30 minutes after firefighters arrived on the scene, the water rose five feet to a high of eight feet. Firefighters first tried to string a tether or transverse line from a parked bus to the building, using four firefighters who waded a few hundreds yards through hip-deep water rushing by at 10-15 miles per hour. The line would have been used to guide a boat to the building, pick up the people, and bring them to safety. While the firefighters struggled through the water, several cars began to move toward them through the rush of water. Fearing the cars would hit the firefighters, the mission was aborted, even after the line was put in place. A bus, which anchored one end of the line, also had started to move. The Delaware National Guard arrived at about 9:30 to assist. At approximately midnight, they were able to send a tactical personnel carrier over to the building where six firefighters waited. The vehicle picked up 14 of the people trapped in the building. Six firefighters remained in the water in or near the building. The 14 people were given life jackets and sent back across the water. But while the Guard vehicle was going back through the stream, the water surged again, and dislodged another vehicle, which blocked the personnel carrier's way. The personnel carrier was able to push the dislodged vehicle away, but the driver judged that it would be too dangerous to make another trip for the remaining 11 until the waters receded. So everyone waited and waited. Several hours later, the water had not receded much at all, but the personnel carrier driver said he thought it could work, since two helicopters from the Maryland State Police were ready to help if they got into trouble. The carrier went back across the rushing water successfully, picked up the 11 people and six firefighters that remained behind. The mission was complete around 3:30 a.m. Last 10 Stories
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2004 National Guard Bureau |
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