Ike Heads for Texas, Sinlaku Heads for Okinawa

Check out how our weekend is shaping up! I have an AM activity planned at the school and then I hope to blog about what has been going on since my last post...lots of crazy island fun! I will keep you posted on our typhoon as much as possible. We are all stocked up and secured, (except for his Mistress...she has a cover, but the parking lot doesn't offer much shelter from 126 MPH winds...we are exploring options for her safe-keeping).

KADENA BRACES FOR TYPHOON SINLAKU

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Members of Team Kadena are bracing for the first major tropical storm of 2008, Typhoon Sinlaku. In response, the 18th Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. Brett Williams directed the implementation of TCCOR 3 earlier today.

According to the Capt Jeremy Alexander, 18th Wing Weather flight chief, Sinlaku is expected to start impacting Okinawa late Thursday with gusts of wind up to 30 knots, increasing to 50 knots by Friday afternoon.

The storm will pass closest to Okinawa sometime Saturday dumping up to eight inches of rain on the island and generating winds up to 110 knots. Winds are expected to die down to 50 knots by Saturday night but gusts and wet conditions will probably continue throughout the weekend, said the captain.

As the base prepares for the storm, 18th Wing leadership is urging all personnel and families to familiarize themselves with the Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness or TCCORs. The various TCCORS, which are directed for all U.S. military installations on Okinawa by the 18th Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. Brett Williams, are dictated by the type of weather conditions forecasted to impact the island. The TCCORs lay out the actions personnel and their families should take to remain safe during the storm. TCCORS are not guidance; they are orders, and all military and civilian employees are required to understand and abide by them:

TC-4: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater possible within 72 hours. Stock up on food, bottled water, dry milk, batteries, flashlights, candles and other emergency supplies.

TC-3: Destructive winds of 50 knots are possible within 48 hours. Initiate a general clean-up around your home, apartment and office. Pick up loose items, such as toys, garden tools and lawn furniture. Monitor the storm's progress, and be prepared to finish your storm preparations quickly in case the storm intensifies or changes course, pushing the island into a lower TCCOR than previously forecasted.

TC-2: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater anticipated within 24 hours. Secure all outdoor property such as picnic tables, barbecue grills, and anything else that could become a projectile as a result of high winds. Withdraw emergency cash in case power goes out during the storm and ATMs are down.

TC-1: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are expected within 12 hours. DODDs schools will close at this time. Fill any available containers with water. Make a final check of food, water and other supplies. Turn the temperature of your refrigerator-freezer to the coolest setting and minimize the amount you open and close it. If power goes off, perishable foods will keep longer if they start at colder temperatures.

TC-1 CAUTION: Winds are blowing at 34 to 49 knots and are expected to reach 50 knots or more within 12 hours. All outdoor activities except those in direct support of urgent military missions will be discontinued. All AAFES facilities (BX, shopettes, gas stations) as well as the commissary close and all non-mission-essential personnel and family members must be off the streets and in their residences. Personnel must remain in their residences until the 18th Wing Commander declares "Storm Watch" or a lower TCCOR. This applies to all SOFA status personnel and their dependents, whether they live on base or off base.

TC-1 EMERGENCY: Destructive winds of 50 knots or greater occurring. All outside activities are prohibited. Continue monitoring the storm's progress and changing TCCORs via AFN TV and Radio, the Kadena public website (www.kadena.af.mil) and the Commander's Access Channel. Be prepared to remain in quarters for the duration of the storm.

TC-1 RECOVERY: Destructive winds of 50 knots are no longer occurring, but life threatening hazards may be present on base. Actual winds are 34-49 knots. No outdoor activity is authorized other than workers from pre-designated emergency crews. TCCOR1 recovery Mission-Essential Passes, which are issued to mission-essential agencies only, must be in the member's possession before attempting to travel on Kadena.

TC - STORM WATCH: There is still a possibility of danger to personnel due to the storm's unpredictability or from hazards created by previous high winds. Normal activities may resume with caution two hours after the 18th Wing Commander declares Storm Watch. AAFES facilities and the commissary may reopen as well. Stay tuned to AFN TV and Radio, the Kadena public website www.kadena.af.mil and the Commander's Access Channel for updates.

TC - ALL CLEAR: Hazardous conditions and winds are no longer present. However be alert to possible damage and hazardous conditions on roads, etc. TC-4 stays in effect from July 1 to November 30 every year.
All personnel should monitor AFN TV and Radio, the Kadena public website and the Commander's Access Channel throughout the storm for the latest updates.