JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The holidays can be a time of family, friends, and festivities, bringing people together to celebrate the spirit of the season.
However, that winter season can also bring the wrath of Mother Nature, ripe with winter weather at its worst. These winter weather events can result in power outages, snarled traffic and treacherous driving conditions, hampering day-to-day operations.
Joint Base Langley-Eustis has developed a multi-faceted severe weather information program to give you the most accurate and timely information about weather-related delays and closings, keeping you ahead of the storm.
Keeping you connected
The peninsula typically endures an average snowfall of nearly four inches in January, and three inches in February, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. However, in 2010, the area recorded 14 inches of snow, the most since 1983.
In the case of a weather emergency, JBLE will make important information available via its official website, www.jble.af.mil, and through its official Facebook page, located at
www.facebook.com/JointBaseLangleyEustis.
News updates will appear near the top of the JBLE homepage in red text as "Breaking News." By clicking on the announcement, users will be directed to a news release, detailing the information and reporting instructions. Facebook users will be able to find these updates posted to the JBLE Facebook "wall."
These avenues allow viewers to access information about installation closures, delays, and other mission-impacting changes online immediately. The information posted by the installation Public Affairs office via these channels serves as official notification, and is the quickest and easiest method of getting the right information.
Clear and concise
Although Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis are only separated by 17 miles, the weather at each location can vary dramatically based on a variety of factors. For example, warmer air from southerly winds at Langley may cause precipitation to fall as rain and refreeze on the ground, whereas temperatures north at Fort Eustis may keep precipitation frozen, falling as sleet or even snow.
When publishing information about closures, delays, and reporting instructions, JBLE will refer to each base individually, helping avoid confusion. Separate messages will detail notifications specific to Langley or Fort Eustis, even if the same instructions apply to both installations.
Local media outlets
In addition to posting updates to the
JBLE website and
Facebook page, information will be distributed to local media outlets, including television networks, radio stations and newspaper publishers.
When evaluating weather scenarios, JBLE leadership will make every effort to make decisions regarding installation impact prior to the local news broadcasts, allowing the Public Affairs office to provide the timeliest data for viewers and listeners.
Langley Command Post updates
In cases of severe weather and mission impact, the JBLE Command Post may utilize the Emergency Management Notification System to alert personnel of breaking updates. Air Force network users will receive pop-up alerts on their work center PC. Additionally, all enrollees can receive alerts on personal cell phones, home phones, email, or text messages in the event of a notification, if the information has been entered into the EMNS on base.
To receive EMNS updates, locate the EMNS icon in the system icons taskbar on your Air Force network PC, right-click, and select "Update My Info" to enter accurate contact information.
Fort Eustis updates
Fort Eustis' Army Support Activity website will display weather-related updates on its home page, located at
www.eustis.army.mil. At the top of the page, the installation's status will be listed, such as open or closed. By clicking the link, users can read a detailed explanation of each operating status.
In addition, Fort Eustis operated the Command Channel 46, which broadcasts on channel 46 on post, and is available in streaming form on the Fort Eustis ASA homepage. Fort Eustis network users will be alerted to weather-related closings and delays via an email mass notification.
In the case of emergencies, the post's "giant voice" system will be used to deliver information, beaming spoken messages across the installation over large speakers.
Lastly, Eustis personnel can call the post hotline at 878-6181/2 to hear recorded messages detailing weather-related updates.
When in doubt, double-check
JBLE makes every effort to deliver the most accurate information as quickly and widely available as possible. When severe weather strikes and information is disseminated, word of mouth transmittal can sometimes unintentionally dilute or distort the facts, leaving personnel confused or misinformed.
If you are unsure about the information you are reading or being told, it is always prudent to contact your chain of command to verify the validity of the messages.
"It's of the utmost importance that we keep our Airmen, Soldiers, civilians, and their families notified of what's happening in the event of severe weather," said Army Col. Reggie Austin, the 633rd Air Base Wing vice commander. "It's our responsibility to get the right information to them as quickly as possible. The safety of the JBLE community is our top priority."