A wind blasting from the east downs trees, damages property

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Last Thursday, Dec. 1, winds from the east gusted through Hill Air Force Base at exceedingly high speeds of up to 75 miles per hour.

The aftermath of this day-long windstorm caused some minor structural damages to facilities as well as uprooting and damaging many trees across the installation.

"The total damage consisted of 129 trees down, 90 at the golf course and 39 on the installation, damage to varying degrees at 114 facilities and electrical systems damage ranging from street lights, signs, light fixtures, marquee and power poles," said Kent Nomura, 75th Civil Engineering Squadron operations support.

Nomura said to date the base has identified damage costs exceeding $500,000, but the cost is still growing.

The major clean-up like trees and grounds has been completed as of Dec. 3, but there is still much more to be done.

"Civil Engineering personnel responded quickly and professionally," said Nomura. "Personnel voluntarily worked extended hours without question, supporting the mission as needed."

Although windstorms and other weather can't be stopped, there are safety precautions that can be done throughout the installation.

"We were in a severe wind warning, which means that there are winds greater than 50 knots and imminent damage is going to happen," said Capt. William Danyluk, 75th Operations Support Squadron, weather flight commander. "We will notify key agencies on base at least two hours prior so they can notify personnel."

Danyluk said that each unit has their own safety checklist to make sure everyone and everything is safe and secure.

Starting in the spring of 2012, the damaged trees on the installation will be replaced.