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Highest March precipitation in 60 years hits Scott

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chris Stagner
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Roads, lakes and sewage drains around Scott Air Force Base were pushed to the limit this week when the base was bombarded with the most short-term accumulation in March in more than 60 years.

"In March 1945 the base had 9.96 inches of accumulation," said Senior Airman Ginger Davis, 375th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight forecaster. "We've had 5.51 inches of accumulation in three days now (from March 16 to 19)."

That three-day figure nearly doubles the 3.3-inch average of the last 20 years.

"It's certainly a lot of rain," the weather forecaster said, "but it's not overly abnormal.

"March to April weather is normally rainy," she said. "In April, during the mid 1990s, we saw more than 12 inches of precipitation (12.17 inches in April 1994 and 12.46 inches in April 1996)."

Though some people might not consider this much precipitation a blessing, it always seems to roll in with the holidays according to Airman Davis.

"This rainy weather is associated with spring and normally begins around Easter," she said. "It has to do with the vernal equinox."

The rain closed roads in the local communities and flooded areas on base, but the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron was prepared for the challenge.

"They're working to build a new [Surface and Deployment Distribution Center]," said Jim Turnbull, 375th CES Operations Flight production controller. "Some of the rubble from the construction made its way into the creeks that are in that area and obstructed the flow of water; similar to a make-shift damn.

"Many of the storm drains on base over flowed due to the high volume of precipitation," he said. "Our people went out to ensure there were no obstructions causing the backages and make sure those areas were safe for Joint Total Force Scott members."

The efforts to maintain a "business as usual" atmosphere on Scott extended beyond the gates of the base.

"This was a different type of rainfall for us as far as emergency management goes," said Nick Prsha, St. Clair County Central Emergency Communications Center Public Safety Answering Point manager. "Our call volume has been much higher as we've had to put people on stand by to support our brethren in Missouri as well."

The heavy call load hasn't deterred them from supporting the base, though.

"We've got a great program established with Scott to share information that's important to our respective communities," said Mr. Prsha. "We've definitely taken advantage of that synergy this week to keep traffic flowing."