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Wadena TornadoJune 17, 2010
Focus is on two storms out of an outbreak of 35 tornadoes within the Warning Area Only two fatalities reported from outbreak
First severe signatures appeared in Douglas County, MN (MPX) Issued first warnings based on storm strength
and movement while still in Douglas County Storm intensity sustained as it entered
Ottertail County (FGF) Initial warnings issued to provide
sufficient lead time for protection of lives and property
Overview
Tornado Tracks
Tornado Tracks
Base Reflectivity at 3:43 p.m.
Base Velocity at 3:43 p.m.
Almora-Bluffton
The velocity product gave a better indication of storm location and path
The first tornado was the storm that passed near Parkers Prairie, Almora, and Deer Creek before turning right and striking near Bluffton
One fatality occurred at a farm house near Almora Located approximately 7 miles north-northwest
of the city of Parkers Prairie
Wadena
The second storm followed fairly close behind the first More of a straight northeast track
Touchdown was approximately 3 miles southwest of Wadena
Several homes and businesses destroyed No fatalities despite higher population density
Prompted additional warnings for Sebeka and Nimrod areas due to projected path of storms
Velocity at 4:29 p.m.
Reflectivity at 4:29 p.m.
Reflectivity at 4:52 p.m.
Greg Gust, NWS Grand Forks
Findings
Both storms rated as EF-4 First storm tracking from near Almora to
Bluffton resulted in single fatality Second storm developed and tracked
approximately 30 minutes behind first Multiple warnings required due to storm
coverage and movement Warnings issued in a timely manner
42 minutes lead time for Almora-Bluffton storm
35 minutes lead time for Wadena storm
~Wadena Tornado~
WADENA POLICE DEPARTMENT
WADENA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Law Enforcement ResponseDay 1
~Conducted search and rescue in the immediate aftermath of the tornado
~Extricated people from damaged homes~Rendered aid until ambulance personnel
arrived~Marked hazards and called in to utility
companies for downed power lines, natural gas leaks, etc.
~Blocked off the affected area using road guards and barricades
Law Enforcement Response~Following Days
~Established a field command center to brief hundreds officers from 46 agencies to coordinate traffic control and patrol in the affected area using squads, four wheelers and foot patrol
~Coordinated with the street department to set up truck routes to remove 1800+ loads of debris from the affected area
Law Enforcement Response ~Following Days (cont.)
~Coordinated with the National Guard and area Fire Departments to set up check points to only allow permitted people in the disaster area
~Patrolled the affected area making several arrests ranging from looters and scam artists to drug dealers
~Maintained traffic flow with the help of Mounted Posse Members
~Secured the Wadena-Deer Creek High School and Wadena Community Center
Law Enforcement Response ~Following Days (cont.)
~Responded to medical calls and assisted the ambulance when needed
~Established a truck staging area at the softball complex so homeowners could remove property from affected area
~Established a staging area for over flow parking for volunteers
Wadena Fire Department
Fire Department
~38 outside fire departments assisted the Wadena Fire Department
~Conducted search and rescue in the immediate hours after the tornado
~Responded to chemical spills/gas leaks and downed power lines in the affected areas
~Conducted door to door checks of residences assuring everyone made it out safely and was accounted for
Fire Department(cont.)
~Provided extra security in the affected areas
~Assisted with escorting residents into the affected areas to gather belongings and check on pets, etc.
~Responded to one fire call one week after the tornado involving gas and electric crews.
Tri-County Hospital
Tri-County Hospital
~EMS initially transported 16 patients~Tri-County EMS had contact with 32
additional patients in the first week~Tri-County Hospital treated 69 patients in
the first 72 hours~By hour three of the disaster; there was a
total of 22 ground assets, four helicopters, and one fixed wing air asset.
Tri-County Hospitalcont.
~Tri-County EMS cancelled 8 additional ground assets that were enroute to assist
~Two hours and thirty minutes after the disaster- Tri-County EMS started releasing extra medical personnel who assisted
Damage Assessment
~Structures Damaged-335 single and multi residences damaged-38 commercial buildings damaged
~Structures Destroyed-86 single and 8 multi residences destroyed-32 commercial building destroyed
Lessons LearnedWhat worked and what didn't…
~Dispatch/Communications-Cell phone use- towers were down which made
communication difficult-Overwhelmed phone lines in dispatch-ALL fulltime Dispatchers/Jailers assisted
during tornado- very beneficial-800 MHz would have made communication
easier-WPS- Verizon= $10/phone ~GETS card-
contact your wireless provider-WPS and GETS cards give you priority on the cell
towers
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Law Enforcement-Maps are key- County/City/Utilities-Identify crucial damaged areas-Develop quadrants based off of damage
assessments-Quadrants- assign a local officer with firemen
and out of jurisdiction officers- Issue permits in general location- have that
location set up for PERMITS ONLY to avoid chaos
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Law Enforcement (cont.)-Fire Assistance and Support Team (FAST),
HSEM and IMT were all a great help-Incident Action Plan (IAP) assisted Law
Enforcement in planning out each days goals-Public Meetings are essential- have on a daily
basis in the same location
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Patrol/Command Staff-Traffic Control is vital-Any officers working disaster duty needs to
check in and get assigned to designated areas- helps with organization
-Make sure officers get breaks on a regular basis
-Use statewide channel-Utilize National Guard to set up a perimeter-Once quadrants become open to public- set a
curfew to have areas shut down for security purposes
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Fire Department-Worked well in assisting with search and
rescue-Utilize Fire Departments in traffic control and
security-Make sure you have a channel to communicate
with them
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~EMS-Our medical personnel suffered from
communication issues-Make sure to have a common channel to
communicate with all on-Make sure staging area is a common area that
is easily found-Set up various aid stations around the disaster
area
Lessons Learned(cont.)
-Resource Officers/Logistics-Resource list is necessary for smooth operation-Have designated area set up for EOC only-Communication is a MUST between all depts.-Have a designated line for OUTGOING phone
calls only-Document everything from start to finish and
save ALL notes even if they are on scratch paper
-Put the date and time on all notes
Lessons Learned(cont.)
-Resource Officers/Logistics (cont.)-Establish a hotline number for the EOC-Keep websites updated with all information
relating to the disaster-Attend public meetings to get updated on
progress and/or changes-In charge of preparing daily Incident Action
Plan (IAP)-EOC needs a “runner”- beneficial in assisting
other command posts with necessities
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Public Information Officer-Received approximately 200 calls daily-Conducted approximately 25 interviews daily-Assist in public meetings-Conducts radio interviews-Make sure to organize a Media area to keep
them “contained”-Do a press release immediately following any
disaster-Hold an emergency meeting with all dept
heads
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Public Information Officer (cont.)-Keep communication between elected officials
and emergency management-”Wadena Today” was a daily news letter
handed out which consisted of information and updates
-Vendor lists are a must-Assign one person to approve spending to
eliminate confusion
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Volunteers-Wadena had 2931 registered volunteers-288 work orders were completed-Designate a volunteer hotline-Have all volunteers stage in one area to get
assigned-Set working hours- start and return times-Ages 15+ only allowed to work-Under 18- need permission slip from parent- Wrist bands to track volunteers
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Volunteers (cont.)-Have liability waivers-Make sure volunteers have appropriate
clothing to work in-Turn in work orders at the end of each day-Have a designated Volunteer EOC-HAM radio operators beneficial-Provide food and water to volunteers-Shuttle by bus to work areas-MIFC assisted (MN Interagency Fire Center)
(DNR)
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Volunteers (cont.)-Church groups, MNVOAD, other volunteer
groups beneficial-Assign leaders- make everyone aware of WHO
that is-Volunteer EOC security-Photo/Video record operations-Make sure to have a designated area large
enough for parking-Debrief each day-Fax/Printer/Copier needed at Volunteer staging
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Minnesota State Patrol-Set up perimeter-Mobile EOC available if needed- also send
dispatchers along with EOC-Air assets available-Video capability- Search & Rescue, damage
assessments, etc-Assist with traffic control-Set up route for debris removal-Request assistance via State Duty Officer
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Public Works-Assist in demolition and rebuilding-Debris removal management-1800+ loads of trees removed from tornado-Crews from all over the area assisted with
debris removal and power restoration-Must have communication between EOC and
City Hall/City Offices-Contacted building inspectors- categorized
each damaged structure-Wadena City has issued 60+ demolition
permits
Lessons Learned(cont.)
~Additional Ideas-Needs for EOC- white boards, dry erase markers,
erasers, paper trays, highlighters, tape, staplers, paper, file folders, scissors, 3 ring binders, post-its, pencils, pens, calendar, laptop and maps.
-Food for EOC staff- need all day- keep close to EOC
-Utilize Posse members in assisting where ever needed
-Make guidelines clear for contactors, appraisers, home owners and land lords
-Keep public OUT of all EOC areas
Thank You! Any Questions?