[ARRL-OK] Gulf Hurricane

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

Just about this time three years ago I did not think Oklahoma hams would
be active in the aftermath of a gulf cost hurricane right here in
Oklahoma. But as many of you know, over 80 Amateur Radio volunteers worked
24/7 for almost 3 weeks in Tulsa, Camp Gruber and Fall Creek providing all
sorts of radio communication assistance.

My point, check your gear, your day bags, your radio boxes, and your home
stations. Are you ready to help?  Are you registered on www.ARESOK.org 
NOW, before the storm, is the time to “Get’er Done” to be ready.

73 Mark Conklin N7XYO
A-SEC ARES OK
Zone 4&5 EC

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>From the ARRL Letter Aug 29, 2008

==> GULF COAST PREPARES FOR GUSTAV

As of Friday, although Tropical Storm Gustav is still several days away
from landfall on the US mainland, disaster preparations are being rolled
out along the Gulf Coast. ARRL Leadership Officials, with the support of
the ARRL Headquarters staff, are taking measures that will facilitate
emergency communications among ham volunteers, among hams and served
agencies such as the Red Cross, and among Leadership Officials during
the expected emergency and in its aftermath. ARRL Section Managers in
the Gulf Coast states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and
Texas are marshaling resources and setting up procedures that will take
effect as the storm approaches the mainland.

Support from the ARRL Headquarters staff includes referrals from local
and national media, shipment of Amateur Radio equipment via the Ham Aid
program, Section Manager liaison and referral of inquiries from Amateur
Radio operators. Two special Web sites are available for Amateur Radio
operators looking for information and volunteer opportunities:
<http://www.arrl.org/gustav/> and <http://www.arrl.org/gustav/vol.html>.
In addition, news will be updated on the ARRL Web site over the weekend
and early next week, as Gustav moves toward the Gulf Coast.

On Thursday, as Gustav was slamming into Haiti and heading toward
Jamaica, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane
Center in Miami, activated at 12 PM EDT (1600Z). The NHC requested all
land based stations as well as ships at sea in the areas affected to
send them weather data (measured or estimated) and damage reports.

A post to their Web site stated: "If you are in the affected area and
normally monitor on a local Net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would
appreciate your checking into the HWN NET or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per
hour to receive the latest Hurricane Advisories and to report your local
conditions. Please do not venture outside during the hurricane to gather
weather data."

In addition, the VoIP Hurricane Net activated Thursday at 11 AM EDT
(1500Z), according to a post by Jim Palmer, KB1KQW, VoIP-WX Net
Scheduler.

Also on Thursday, FEMA posted a news release that said, in part: "The
Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) is coordinating plans and preparatory activities of numerous
federal agencies in close communication with state, tribal and local
officials as Tropical Storm Gustav threatens to return to hurricane
strength prior to impacting Gulf Coast states. All residents in the
region are encouraged to make personal preparations. Information is
available at www.Ready.gov on how families and individuals can best
prepare before the storm.

"FEMA and its federal partners are in close communications with states
along its potential path in order to review plans, pre-station assets
and personnel, and respond to any request for assistance. FEMA's work
with states using a Gap Analysis tool to determine in advance of storms
where federal assistance is most likely to be needed has helped federal
and state agencies to develop pre-scripted mission assignments and other
contingency plans to help improve response and recovery efforts."

The news release also provides details on preparations now underway by
several other agencies, including the American Red Cross and the Army
Corps of Engineers.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency for his
state on Wednesday, and he activated 3000 National Guard troops, with
more on call. The state of Mississippi declared a state of emergency on
Thursday. Governor Haley Barbour stated, in part: "I urge all
Mississippians to please take this storm seriously. One of the most
important lessons we learned after Hurricane Katrina was that there is
no substitute for awareness and self-help, especially in the days before
the hurricane is predicted to hit."