The following is from the Hurricane Watch Net as of Weds., Sept. 12:
Hurricane
Florence is drawing a lot of concern- for its size and strength, but
more so for the potential flooding as it makes land. Over the week, the
actual time of landfall has moved closer to the end of this week. Here
is our current plan of operation for the Hurricane Watch Net as of 9 AM
EDT Wednesday morning.
We will *not*
have a formal net today (Wednesday) but we will have stations present on
both our 20 meter frequency (14.325) and our 40 meter frequency
(7.268). HWN will be present throughout the day and evening to talk with
stations in the coastal states. We want to log their location, their
weather instrumentation and other pertinent information so that when
they are actively producing storm reports we already have them in the
database. This is valuable because it will speed the reporting process
Thursday and Friday as the storm does make land.
Formal
Hurricane Watch Net operation will commence on both bands at 7:30AM EDT
Thursday, September 13. On 40 meters, we will check into the Waterways
Net and they will turn the frequency to us when their net is
completed. We anticipate 24-hour operation as conditions permit
thereafter. Our first priority is bringing weather observations to the
National hurricane Center. The Hurricane Watch Net also is ready to
assist with other emergency operations (EOCs, shelters, etc.) as
needed.
The following is from SATERN - the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network:
SATERN
will activate for Hurricane Florence from 1200 (CT) through 1600 (CT) on
Thursday, 13
Friday
and Saturday immediately after the morning training Net (about 1100 (CT) until
propagation no longer supports it or the Net Manager closes it for the day.
Assessment
of the need for continued activation beyond Saturday will be made by SATERN leadership
based upon:
1.
Reports of major damage, especially to the communications infrastructure
2.
A continued significant amount of Emergency, Priority or Health & Welfare messages
being handled
3.
Reports of increased needs for auxiliary communications
4.
A request from The Salvation Army or one of our partners to continue
The
primary missions of the Net will be:
1.
Receipt and delivery of Health & Welfare messages outbound from the impacted
areas
2.
Support of The Salvation Army if needed or requested
3.
Support of our partners, including emergency communications partners, if needed
or requested.
People
interested in participating can check into the International SATERN SSB Net
from 0900 to 1100 (CT) each day or contact the Net leadership team at <WB5ALM@Outlook.com>.
This
activation beginning on Thursday, 13 September is being initiated based on
SATERN’s Hurricane Activation Protocols. The protocol is for one or more Nets
within the SATERN Network to be activated in the event of a forecasted landfall
by a major hurricane (category 3, 4 or 5) within the area covered by SATERN.
The
Salvation Army is beginning to stage personnel and equipment in major
deployments to North Carolina and Virginia. These assets are coming not only
from the North-South Carolina (NSC) and National Capital-Virginia (NCV) Divisions
but other Divisions within the Southern Territory (the 15 southeastern states).
Depending upon the scope of the impact, it is possible that assistance may be
requested from the other Territories in North America as well.
Remember - stay safe. Follow instructions of emergency management officials if you are in an area likely to be impacted by this major hurricane. You can't help if you become a storm victim as well.
Keep an eye on the CQ Newsroom for additional updates and always listen before transmitting on any of the frequencies listed above.
