Commander issues limited evacuation order, recovery ops progressing

  • Published
  • By 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  As of 3 p.m. Feb. 2, 97th Air Mobility Wing Commander Col. Ty Thomas issued a limited evacuation order, which allowed non-mission essential personnel and their dependents to depart the immediate area to locations within 250 miles from the base in order to find temporary lodging until base facilities are restored to normal. The order permits limited reimbursement of expenses associated with this movement.

Most family members in the designated shelter locations evacuated once the order from the commander was given. Essential services and meals are still being provided to base personnel and their dependents who remain in the area. The dining facility will remain open but will scale back from 24-hour operations.

Early Feb. 3, power returned to base housing, which is home to 52 percent of the personnel assigned to Altus AFB. However, the main portion of the base remains without power, and estimates on when power may return continue to be undetermined. Within the city of Altus, power has been restored to approximately 60 percent of customers. More facilities off base are expected to have power as the week progresses.

Base housing residents may call Balfour Beatty Communities Military Housing at (580) 379-4002 for information about insurance claims associated with losses incurred by this storm. Claims for items outside privatized housing may be routed through the Base Legal Office at 481-7294.

The severe ice storm, which swept through the Altus area Jan. 28, caused seven injuries. The 97th Medical Group provided care for 12 individuals.

The base child development center will resume operations temporarily at the youth center Thursday, Feb. 4. The child care service will be available only to emergency essential personnel engaged in recovery efforts. The hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Altus AFB is currently receiving assistance with recovery operations from Lackland, Sheppard and Dyess Air Force Bases, Texas, and Vance AFB, Okla., with personnel and equipment to include diesel generators, bucket lifts and line trucks. Fifteen Airmen are assisting with the recovery effort, which has been nicknamed "Operation Ice Station Zebra."

Emergency response personnel assisted the Commissary with the installation of their generator, which mitigated the loss of perishable goods valued at $1,800.

Altus AFB is working closely with the city of Altus and Jackson County Emergency Management officials on recovery efforts. The base has provided heaters, diesel fuel and electricians to support local recovery efforts.

Base personnel continue to repair infrastructure in anticipation of the return of commercial power and are taking actions to protect essential facilities against forecast adverse weather until power is restored. More information will be released as soon as details become available.

For more information and photos on the recovery operation, visit www.altus.af.mil.