[Ares-races] Hurricane Watch Net Facing Storms' Challenges

[BillLennox at aol.com]

Source:  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/09/08/102/?nc=1

Hurricane Watch Net Facing Storms' Challenges

[UPDATE] NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 9, 2004--With hurricanes threatening almost at 
the rate of one per week since mid-August, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) has had 
a busy time of things. Following a brief hiatus, the HWN will reactivate on 
14.325 MHz at 1700 UTC September 9 for Hurricane Ivan (click link for latest 
forecast)--now a powerful and dangerous Category 5 storm. After wreaking havoc 
in the Windward Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and the northern coast of Venezuela, 
Ivan is expected to hit Jamaica the morning of Friday, September 10. 

    "We will be listening for reporting stations in Jamaica before turning 
our attention to Cuba, which is next in the path," said HWN Manager Mike 
Pilgrim, K5MP. He said he anticipates the HWN will remain active during 20-meter band 
openings for much of the next five or six days--until Ivan no longer 
represents a threat to populated areas. Pilgrim noted that there are no plans at this 
time to conduct any net operations on 75 or 40 meters. 

    If Ivan continues on its current track, it will be off the Florida Keys 
by Monday, September 13, according to National Hurricane Center projections. 
Pilgrim, who lives in Boca Raton in southern Florida, said the storm appears to 
be a threat to the entire state. He notes that authorities already have issued 
a mandatory evacuation order for tourists and mobile home dwellers in the 
Keys, but given the chancy logistics of evacuating, he's planning to hunker down 
for the storm, should it arrive. 

    Pilgrim says he just got electricity back September 6--he has an 
auxiliary generator for his household and a deep-cycle battery for his ham gear--but 
he didn't have telephone service, including cellular, until September 8. He 
says half of his community remains in the dark. 

    The Hurricane Watch Net wrapped up seven straight days of operation for 
hurricanes Frances and Ivan on September 7, presenting the net with "a 
significant challenge, requiring wall-to-wall operations," Pilgrim said. The net took 
a well-needed breather September 8. Reports to the Net from maritime mobiles, 
primarily in Grenada, indicated severe damage from Hurricane Ivan. 

    "We truly appreciate all assistance from the Maritime Mobile Service Net 
and the Intercon Net during this time of high activity on our net operations 
on 14.325," Pilgrim said. MMSN and Intercon members have issued regular 
reminders when the HWN is active. "We need and appreciate your assistance to help 
keep our net frequency clear of nonessential transmissions," Pilgrim added. 

    A hurricane warning has been posted for Jamaica. As of 1500 UTC, 
Hurricane Ivan--with maximum sustained winds near 160 MPH--was some 430 miles 
east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, moving west-northwesterly near 15 MPH. The 
National Hurricane Center said interests in the Central and Western Caribbean Sea 
should closely monitor Ivan's progress. 

    The HWN works hand-in-hand with WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center 
in Miami to gather ground-level weather data and damage reports from Amateur 
Radio volunteers in a storm's path. The net relays these to forecasters via 
WX4NHC, which regularly checks into the net and also disseminates weather updates. 

    The recent hurricane activations also have generated an unprecedented 
level of activity on the HWN Web site--in excess of 16 million page hits over a 
24-hour period, Pilgrim said. Because the high activity level resulted in 
slower-than-normal Web response, Pilgrim said the net negotiated with its Web 
provider "to make adjustments necessary" to continue service. "Full operation is 
now restored with apologies for the inconvenience to our viewers," he said. 

    The HWN has issued a plea for contributions to purchase additional Web 
capacity. "Our Web site has become one of the premier sources for hurricane 
information, not only for private citizens, but for media and government entities 
as well," Pilgrim says in an announcement on the site. The net's volunteer 
members so far have borne the burden of the additional Web hosting costs, but the 
HWN now is inviting contributions to support the site's continued operation. 

    Contributions (make checks payable to "Hurricane Watch Net") go to HWN 
Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP, 10374 178th Ct S, Boca Raton, FL 33498. Donors will 
receive a personal letter of gratitude and recognition on the HWN Web site. 

    The Hurricane Watch Net Web site offers access to the latest weather 
forecasts as well as storm graphics. 


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Bill Lennox
US Air Force (Retired)
Full Time College Student (Emergency Management)
KD7EFP
Assistant Emergency Coordinator - Plans (ARES), Washington County, Oregon
Assistant Radio Officer - Plans (RACES), Washington County, Oregon