Timeline of a Lockdown

By Addison Esson, BBN Staff Member

Due to severe weather and a local tornado warning, Fountain Valley High School went into lockdown on Tuesday, January 19th, at 1:02 PM. Students were in their 5th period classes when Principal Herzfeld made the announcement. The lockdown lasted until 2:00 PM when students were then released.

A timeline of what what transpired in the BBN class follows:

1:15 pm- The storm is supposed to hit, right now. My heart\’s racing, but I hope only my calm exterior is showing. A lot of people are screaming, “We\’re gonna die.” Most are treating this as a joke asking each other, “Do you have any last words?” One student is even updating her Facebook status.

1:17 pm- Mr. Ziebarth again announces no one is allowed outside. We are officially on lockdown.

1:18 pm- BBN is talking about assembling a team to report on the lockdown and storm.

1:19 pm- A group has formed around the computer checking and re-freshing the webpage, looking for updates on the storm. Someone mentions it\’s so calm outside it\’s scary. My mind keeps venturing back to the phrase “the calm before the storm.” Some students are attempting to console their friends by telling them, “We\’re not going to die” or “Everything will be fine.” Who can tell if their words are helping?

1:21 pm- We are all finding different ways to distract ourselves from the chaos surrounding everything. California is supposed to be known for earthquakes, not tornadoes, right?

1:22 pm-A group starts to gather together to play Signs. People start to join slowly, still processing what\’s going on.

1:24 pm- I look up and see Mr. Ziebarth talking on his phone and scanning the computer screen for any breaking news. The tornado was supposed to hit ten minutes ago.

1:27 pm- Someone turns on the song “Ave Verum Corpus” by Mozart.

1:28 pm- A student finds out her house has been flooded.

1:30pm- A map is visible on the projector screen as some of us try and figure out where the tornado is. The game of Signs is in full swing.

1:31pm- A student starts looking for alternate sites posting information about the current situation.

1:33 pm- My friend notices a couple in our classroom huddled together.

1:34pm- We learn Big Lots’ roof has caved in. A new jolt fear spreads through my body. My expression doesn\’t change though.

1:38 pm- It is rumored South Coast Plaza has been hit by the tornado. One student trying to ease tension pretends to be a weather man. Some of us start to think about the things most dear to us at home; our pets.

1:42 pm- Principal Herzfeld announces the lockdown will stand until two. People start yelling advice for those brave enough, or forced to drive home.

1:45pm- Students try to exit the classroom. Mr. Ziebarth puts his foot down and says if anyone really has to use the restroom, “We can set up a portable one. We have trashcans.”

1:48pm- Fifth period is usually over now. Instead the lockdown continues.
-Someone mentions the sun has come out.
-Students crowd around the window and Mr. Ziebarth snaps a picture.

1:53pm- Groups of people have crowded around talking. The atmosphere has shifted from panic to serenity.

1:55pm- Five minutes until the lockdown is over. People are laughing, texting, even singing along to YouTube videos.

1:57pm- Three minutes and counting. Outside the sky had turned a crystal blue, layered with giant cumulus clouds.

2:00pm- The lockdown is officially over. We breathe a sigh of relief.