FEMA Encourages Preparedness for the 2016 Hurricane Season; ARES Should be Ready Now

FEMA, an ARRL partner, is calling on individuals and families across the nation to prepare for the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season, which began two weeks ago and runs through November 30. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center outlook for 2016, released at the end of May, states the season will most likely be near-normal, but uncertainty about the formation of Atlantic storms makes predicting this season particularly difficult.

ARES operators should already have plans and procedures, protocols, and frequencies in place, ready for emergencies and disasters spinning off from hurricanes. Inland ARES groups should also be prepared as severe weather generated by hurricanes can impact communities hundreds of miles inland. When a hurricane hits, it can bring high winds, heavy rainfall, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and even tornadoes. Storm surge produced by hurricanes poses the greatest threat to life and property along the coast.

"The United States has not had a significant impact from a hurricane or tropical storm since Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ. "But luck isn't a strategy when it comes to being ready. If you live in a potentially affected state, you are at risk for storm surge, extreme winds and flooding during a hurricane. Now is the time for you to learn your evacuation routes and develop a hurricane evacuation plan. Prepare now and enjoy the summer with confidence that if a storm threatens you'll be ready."

Monitor Pre-Planned Hurricane Emergency, Disaster Frequencies

On HF, monitor the activity of the venerable Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. The Net is a group of amateur operators, trained and organized to provide essential communications support to the National Hurricane Center. Net members are dispersed throughout North America, the Caribbean, and Central America for communications coverage from storm-affected areas to the forecasters at the NHC.

Reports are relayed from the field to the National Hurricane Center amateur station WX4NHC. The primary mission of the Hurricane Watch Net is to disseminate tropical cyclone advisory information and collect observed or measured weather data from amateurs in the storm affected area as well as any post storm damage, and convey that information appropriately. The Hurricane Watch Net activates whenever a hurricane is within 300 miles of expected landfall. When activated, the net runs on 14.325 MHz during the day and 7.268 MHz at night.

The VoIP SKYWARN/Hurricane Net combines both the Echolink and IRLP linked repeater networks for handling critical wide area communications during major severe weather events. The weekly VoIP SKYWARN/Hurricane Preparation Net meets every Saturday evening at 0000 UTC Sunday. Use the EchoLink *WX-TALK* Conference server Node #:7203, which is integrated with IRLP Reflector 9219.

Source:
www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2016-06-15