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GA Airports Weather the Storm: A First Hand Account of the Damage

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU) implemented proactive measures before Hurricane Irene, including notifying tenants and securing aircraft, but was forced to close due to significant flooding early Sunday morning.
  • Despite extensive damage, MMU quickly reopened to facilitate critical police and military rescue operations, with crucial support from Signature Flight Support enabling life-saving missions.
  • The airport then initiated a phased reopening for general aviation with prior permission, gradually restoring full operations and clearing all pavement and lighting by Monday morning.
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Darren Large, manager of facilities and projects at Morristown Municipal Airport, was on hand at the popular GA airport as hurricane Irene swiped through the Northeast this past weekend. Here’s his first-hand account of how MMU weathered the storm.

On Friday/Saturday leading up to the storm, all tenants were notified of potential wind/flooding hazards on the airport. Pilots in our west tie down were told to secure aircraft with sturdy rope or double rope existing ties. Airport Operations personnel checked all aircraft stored outside on Saturday to insure proper tie downs. The facilities department cleaned out all drains leading up to the storm and prepared barricades and trucks for a response immediately following the storm. While most Port Authority airports closed at 12:00pm on Saturday, MMU stayed open to assist aircraft coming into NYC and allow for the evacuation of smaller based aircraft.

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