McAllen International Airport to Host 2018 NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour
Written by admin, Apr 28, 2018, Comments Off
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
(Laredo, Texas)-McAllen International Airport is one of only two Texas airports that have been selected to host the 2018 National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hurricane Awareness Tour on Monday, May 7, 2018, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will not only give people a chance to meet NOAA hurricane experts, scientists and crew members who respond during hurricanes, they will also get an opportunity to see and climb aboard some of the aircraft that help forecasters keep the public safe during these weather events. Attendees will be able to view and tour the parked Gulfstream‐IV and a U.S. Air Force Reserve WC‐130J, the “Hurricane Hunter.”
“I am so excited for McAllen to be one of the cities that is hosting the 2018 Hurricane Awareness Tour, featuring the aircraft, equipment and individuals who provide so much valuable information during hurricane season,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.
“We must always be prepared for all weather-related events and hurricanes are no exception. While we were spared the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, our area has been impacted by hurricanes over the years. Having all the information possible helps us to provide a better response, if necessary. I encourage everyone to come out to the McAllen International Airport and see the aircraft and meet the personnel responsible for tracking hurricanes, to better understand what is involved from the NOAA National Weather Service in providing this information,” he concluded.
In addition to the aircraft, there will be several local and regional emergency response vehicles and other related agency and vendor displays that help provide response, assistance or support during weather-related emergencies.
“We want to thank the agencies who will be a part of this event. We especially want to thank the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service of Brownsville (NWS) for selecting McAllen International Airport as a host airport for this tour. The 2018 Hurricane Awareness Tour promises to be a fun-filled event, but most importantly, it is an opportunity for our community to learn more about hurricane preparedness,” said Elizabeth Suarez, Aviation Director, McAllen International Airport.
While all of the day’s events will take place at the airport’s Cargo Building, located at 2201 Uvalde Avenue, please note that there will NO parking available at this location. Instead, anyone wishing to be a part of this tour should utilize the free Metro McAllen Park & Ride. Attendees can park at the former Civic Center at 1300 S. 10th Street. Parking will be available on the south side and can be accessed via the U.S. Expressway 83 access road. Shuttle buses will operate continuously between 1:30 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. from the former Civic Center parking lot shuttle shelter to the tour location. This will allow the public ample time to tour aircraft and view available displays. Metro McAllen’s shuttle buses are A.D.A. accessible, equipped with ramp equipment and can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. to give people plenty of time to see the planes and other displays taking place. A dedicated bus for wheelchairs will be available and service dogs and strollers are welcome.
Event Schedule:
9:30 a.m.‐9:4 5a.m. Welcome and media briefing
9:45 a.m.‐10:00 a.m. VIP tour of C‐130 aircraft
10:00 a.m.‐10:15 a.m. VIP tour of G‐IV aircraft
10:00 a.m.‐5:00 p.m. Media interviews
10:00 a.m.‐1:30 p.m. School group tours of aircraft
School groups have already been scheduled.
1:00 p.m.‐1:30 p.m. Media tours of C‐130 aircraft
1:30 p.m.‐2: 00 p.m. Media tours of G‐IV aircraft
2:00 p.m.‐5:00 p.m. Public tours of aircraft
4:40 p.m. Last pick-up time for tour. Must be in line before 5:00 p.m.
For more information about the tour, follow the McAllen International Airport’s and the City of McAllen’s social media pages.
The tour will take place during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 6‐12, 2018. Other stops on the week‐long tour include Beaumont, Tex.; Baton Rouge, La.; Montgomery, Ala.; and Lakeland, Fla.
