Dispatchers Flee Tornado, Misses Center

Calltakers at the Aurora (Colo.) public safety comm center had to evacuate to a basement shelter last Sunday when tornadoes were reported in the area, but radio dispatchers stayed at their consoles to coordinate field units. Before leaving their telephone consoles, all 911 calls were re-routed to the Arapahoe County comm center, where dispatchers began taking calls without any interruption, said city spokesperson Kathy Cable. Weather experts say the EF-1 tornado touched down southeast of city center about 1:18 p.m. with 100 mph winds. There was mild to moderate damage over 10 minutes to homes, a shopping center, vehicles and a construction trailer. At least four other funnel clouds touched down, but with lighter winds and shorter durations.

The 100 mph tornado first set down (#1) south of the National Guard Base, and then moved south-southeast to the Southland Mall (#2), where it inflicted moderate damage. The public safety comm center (yellow pushpin) is located just south of the shopping mall, and just outside the tornado’s path.
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