News

Hope for the best, but...this is Nebraska

  • Published
  • By 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  It seems like just the other day spring baseball was about to begin and the temperature was warm enough to shed some of the winter attire for something a little lighter.

But time traveled quickly and here we are staring winter right in the eyes once again. The question is, are you ready?

Have you made a trip to the local store and refreshed supplies in case you get snowed in for a couple of days? Have you winterized your vehicle? Do you have a blanket in your vehicle in case it breaks down in the snow? When was the heater in your house last serviced? Do you have your supervisor's numbers?

Besides those immediate questions about winter preparations, there is another item members of Team Offutt need to consider - communication.

Knowing when the weather is going to be bad and if there will be delays or closures on base are important aspects of living and working at Offutt Air Force Base.

So where does one go to find the information? The answer depends on who you are and how you like to get your information.

For official notifications from base leadership, all military members, civilians and contractors who are assigned to Team Offutt will get information sent via AtHoc. Base leadership is planning on using this information first and foremost, so it is important to check your contact information from your computer desktop. Simply double-click on the purple icon on the bottom right side of your computer.

Other avenues on delays and closures will come from official Offutt social media sites.

Facebook: One of the quickest ways is to check out the Offutt Air Force Base Facebook page. The information is uploaded and immediately available; the best part is that you don't need a Facebook account to view the page.

Twitter: The Offutt Twitter page is another quick and easy way to find the information.

Offutt Weather Twitter: Arguably the most convenient way is the Offutt_Weather Twitter. With this Twitter feed you visit the page or you can send a text message to 40404 with the message "Follow Offutt_Weather" and a text message will be sent to your phone when we post a delay or closure. You don't even need to have a Twitter account.

Another option to get up-to-date information is by calling 232-COLD. However, please note this system does go down from time-to-time if inundated with multiple calls, so we suggest relying on one of the other options mentioned above.

There will be times when local schools close, but the base remains open. In those cases, it is important to be in communication with your supervisors and keep them aware of your situation.

Winter weather in Nebraska is often unpredictable, and can immobilize the entire region. Storms vary greatly depending on wind, temperature and precipitation, and are capable of causing light to moderate snow, blizzard conditions, sleet, ice and dangerously cold temperatures.

When the weather becomes extreme, base personnel may experience early release, delayed reporting or designated personnel reporting. Service members and civilians who are unsure of base operating procedures or their reporting status should speak with their supervisor or unit commander.

While mission accomplishment is always at the forefront of operations on base, the safety of Team Offutt and their families is the base's number one priority. This is why Team Offutt is asked to follow instructions. If there is a two-hour delay, adjust your schedule accordingly. It is hard for parking areas to be cleared if someone decides to ignore the two-hour delayed reporting and parks in the parking lot.

For more information, visit the Offutt Weather Information Page. The page features material about certain weather to expect such as snow and blizzards, along with links to frequently asked questions and disaster preparedness.