Exercise Overview

The Oglala Sioux Tribe undertook an effort to develop, facilitate and evaluate a disaster exercise entitled "Turbulent Twister - A Tornado Response Exercise".

This exercise served as an opportunity for members of the various departments and agencies that have a role in responding to emergencies and disasters as part of the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Emergency Management Team to work together as part of an Incident Management Team.

During the exercise participants gained a stronger understanding of the tribe’s plans, policies and procedures pertaining to a tornado striking the area.

The Turbulent Twister Tabletop Exercise was be facilitated via an internet based application entitled ON-Line eXercise (ONX) System.

Information on the ONX System can be found at ONXSystem.com.

Exercise Scenario

It is early June and the severe weather associated with a line of thunderstorms moving through the area prompts the local forecast office of the National Weather Service to issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the region at 1:15PM.

As the line of thunderstorms continues to intensify as it moves through the region, the local forecast office of the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch for the area.

At 3:08PM, meteorologists at the local forecast office of the National Weather Service identify a thunderstorm on their Doppler weather radar capable of producing a tornado. They immediately issue a Tornado Warning.

Exercise Conclusion

The Turbulent Twister Tabletop Exercise was facilitated on the morning of September 12 2011 at the Oglala Sioux Tribe's EOC in Pine Ridge SD.