Weidner: Training day turned into tornado response

April 7, 2006 began as a day set for learning. Public safety agencies from every agency in Sumner County were participating in a full-scale exercise. The exercise involved agencies from Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties, who along with Sumner County, make up Homeland Security District 5.

Months of planning had been done over a three-year period. Hurricane Katrina changed our plans to have this exercise in 2005. EMA, EMS, sheriff, police and fire units responded to Waveland, Miss.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., began forecasting possible severe weather the week prior to the April tornado. The day began with a call to the National Weather Service and setting up the Emergency Operations Center for the exercise. With the forecast models indicating that the higher chance for severe weather existed to our south, we decided to participate in the exercise.

The exercise: Units were staged in pre-designated areas adjacent to field exercise locations. By mid-morning, we were running a full-scale exercise with participants (responders), victims, facilitators, evaluators, public safety communications, amateur radio, incident commanders and control cells.

Monitoring the weather: Frequent calls were made to the Nashville office of the National Weather Service. Our communications division was tasked with monitoring various locations to our west as the severe weather threat moved our way.

Our weather desk was active, monitoring radar and communicating with the NWS. We were notified that the storm was tracking further north. We then began discussing leaving the exercise and having our resources return to their agencies.

Getting out of the exercise: The control cell was notified. All units were advised to return to Sumner County. The EOC went from exercise participant mode to storm preparedness mode. Emergency service personnel manned their stations and began working the approaching storm system.

The storm: Watches and warnings progressed across the state. As tornado warnings got closer, our activity level increased as did our communication with other agencies and departments. Sumner is declared under a tornado warning. TV meteorologists were reporting rotating winds. Our first confirmed report of a tornado came from Jim Thomas. Mr. Thomas was the city manager for the city of Goodlettsville. He was driving to Goodlettsville from the exercise.

The tornado was on the ground east of I-65 and moving into Sumner County.

Our next confirmed report was from Lt. John Watson from Hendersonville Police Department, who reported a tornado on the ground in the Manskers Creek subdivision. It was on the ground and moving fast. Goshentown, Drakes Creek, Station Camp. Units reported via radio that Station Camp High School had been hit. Reports continued to come in as the tornado hit Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin Fire Station 2, Browns Lane, Sumner Academy and businesses at South Water Avenue and Airport Road.

By this time, police, fire EMA and EMS units were arriving at and responding to reports as they poured into our 911 centers. The tornado stayed on the ground over 22 miles, continuing on through neighborhoods and rural areas, crossing Sumner Regional Airport property. When we lost cable at the EOC, we walked outside, watching the tornado as it passed some 400 yards behind our building, lifting as it crossed Bledsoe Creek close to Bledsoe Creek State Park.

The response: Most resources were depleted within 15 minutes of the tornado’s passage. Units from unaffected areas of Sumner County responded to Goodlettsville, Gallatin and Hendersonville. Assistance was requested from surrounding counties to assist in performing rescue operations and searching for other victims. Many victims were transported by EMS and private vehicle to hospitals.

Neighbors helped neighbors, strangers helped strangers.

Personal belongings were picked up. Trees were removed from houses. Roads were cleared. Food and water were brought in from many places to feed victims, responders and volunteers.

The recovery: A federal disaster area was declared. Assistance from FEMA and the Small Business Administration was available. Utility Crews removed brush and storm debris. Damaged homes were torn down and rebuilt in many cases. Families began the process of healing and rebuilding

Seven people perished and many were injured as a result of the F-3 tornado on April 7, 2006. Over $68 million in damages were reported.

Much was learned from the events of that day. Public safety response as a whole has improved. Situational awareness to weather events has improved.

April 7, 2006 ended as a day of learning. May God bless the victims and their families.

A monument honoring the victims of the tornado stands at the front door of the Sumner County Emergency Services Complex, located at 255 Airport Road in Gallatin.

Ken Weidner is the director of the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency.