The McMurdo Storm--16 May 2004--Continued



More photos of the storm damage...
waste heat?
The power plant had hip-deep snow inside the building at the radiator end of the engines (#1 seen here). The radiators became packed with snow and froze up, but since the engine heat gets used to heat the buildings nowadays, this wasn't an issue. Several power lines were knocked down, and several water lines froze up, however.
 flagging interest
In front of the Chalet, this flagpole got bent over. Also, the Coast Guard helo pad liners were swept up from the pad and wrapped around the Chalet. Perhaps this flagpole got hit by one of them.
little boxes all the same
More outdoor damage--milvans, trash bins and similar loose items were tossed and rolled about.
get your rocks
The shelter at Derelict Junction got blown over against a truck. These rock boxes got blown around as well.
take this bus...please!
All of the windows were blown out on one side of this bus. About 30 vehicles suffered broken windows.
I want my MTV
Black Island saw 170 mile winds, but the only damage was to this one small antenna...just so happens that this is the downlink for the AFRTS television.
sunny day
On another day, here's the "before" view of the same antenna (at right) a month earlier.
room for rent
The KOA building survived but was well shaken up--it needs to be anchored more securely.
Other Black Island damage identified on the 27 May inspection visit: shifted electrical and water lines, a small hole in the NASA dome, a broken tractor window (and the cab full of snow). The wind turbines survived without damage.
lost exitThe Mactown wastewater treatment plant had this exit door snowed up to the roof... hit the wall






Also a bunch of snow in front of this exit. The WWTP also had some rollup door damage.
no rest for the weary
Back outside of town, Silver City had the roof blown off--it had not yet been located.
wall done
A closer view of the collapsed side wall. This artifact from the old McMurdo berthing complex (of the same name) was a popular warming hut and weekend retreat.
al fresco dining done here
A look through the missing roof.
cool place to wait
Down the road, the pax terminal got aired out a bit.

Scott Base was also damaged--a roof section peeled off filling a building with snow, a roll-up door was lost, windows were broken, and milvans were blown around. But...the most newsworthy item to come out of the storm (according to the NZ Herald) was the couple who were stranded in the A-frame. The effects on Scott Base are well described and depicted by Keith Roberts in his May "Nuggies on Ice" diary entry. Scott's hut on Hut Point has also been damaged by snow infiltration, and there is concern for the other historic huts on Cape Evans and Cape Royds which have not been inspected.

Obviously I didn't take the pictures or the data. It's obviously official NSF information, received from several sources including Dave Bresnahan, Jordan Dickens, Anthony Powell, and Kris Perry. Thanks!