[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Hurricane Florence

[Ian]

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From: ARRL Members Only Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
Date: Mon, Sep 10, 2018 at 10:22 PM
Subject: Hurricane Florence

Hurricane Florence, now a Category 4 Hurricane, is traveling towards the
East Coast, and has a high probability of impacting the entire Roanoke
Division.  South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have already
declared a state of emergency, preparing for a hurricane that may
approach a category 5 when it makes landfall this Thursday.  There is a
cone of probability as to where it will strike, but Vice Director Bill
N2COP lives in Wilmington, NC where he is expecting a storm surge of
12-15 feet.  He will be busy preparing his residence for the storm, and
will be heading inland for safety within the next few days.

ARRL Headquarters has been in communication with Section Managers (SM)
and Section Emergency Coordinators (SEC) of the affected coastal states.
 Ham Aid Kits have already been requested by South Carolina, and ARRL HQ
is expecting to hear from Virginia tomorrow.

There are mandatory evacuations scheduled over the next two days.
Remember that automobile traffic will be heavy around the mandatory
evacuation times, and alternate routes may be limited.  If you are under
mandatory evacuation orders, leaving the area would be best sooner than
later.

As our division consists of four states, each with their own emergency
operation plans, and many counties with their own emergency operation
plans, I completely defer to those plans.  However, if you do wish to
volunteer to assist in the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)
activations, be certain that you do communicate with your Emergency
Coordinator (EC), District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) or your Section
Emergency Coordinator (SEC) in that order.

There are a few days to prepare for this emergency.  A few suggestions
would be to fill up your cars with gas, obtain gas for and check the
operation of your generator, obtain spending money, fill prescription
drugs, charge batteries, check the supplies in your go-kit and confirm
proper operation of your portable or base station on battery and/or
solar power.  Expect power outages and very heavy rain/wind.

A trip to the grocery store for non-perishable food supplies and
drinking water to last at least 72 hours for you and your family is
suggested.

Always check to see that you and your family are safe and secure prior
to volunteering for an ARES activation.  IMPORTANT-DO NOT SELF DEPLOY!
Await instructions from your ARES leadership.  For those in the National
Traffic System (NTS), please check with your net managers for potential
additional net responsibilities.

The ARRL does not expect volunteers to participate in a dangerous
activity or to place themselves in what they perceive to be a dangerous
or unsafe environment. Volunteers should avoid or cease participating in
any ARRL activity or deployment under circumstances which make them
uncomfortable.

Above all, be prepared and be safe.  I’ll look forward to seeing
everyone "on the other side".

'73 de Jim N2ZZ
Director, Roanoke Division

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ARRL Roanoke Division
Director: James F Boehner, N2ZZ
n2zz at arrl.org
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