[ETS/PARC List] Hurricane Net Activated

[Pete Fierro]

(Update: Saturday, September 09, 2017 @ 630 AM EDT (1030 UTC)

The Hurricane Watch Net remains at Alert Level 5 – Catastrophic Response
Mode. We will remain in continuous operation until further notice.

The Hurricane Watch Net ceased nighttime operations on 7.268 MHz at 6:00 AM
EDT 1000 UTC. Propagation went away shortly after midnight EDT and never
returned. Members of HWN monitored the frequency listening for anyone
needing help as well as reading the latest position reports of Hurricanes
Irma, José, and Katia. Daytime operations will resume on 14.325.00 MHz at
7:00 AM EDT - 1100 UTC.

As a reminder, our Net will remain in continuous operation until further
notice. Daytime operations on 14.325 MHz will begin at 7:00 AM EDT – 1100
UTC each day continuing for as long as propagation allows. Nighttime
operations will be on 7.268 MHz starting at 6:00 PM EDT – 2200 UTC and
continue overnight. If propagation dictates, we will operate both
frequencies at the same time.

Note: Operations on 7.268 MHz will pause at 7:30 AM ET, and, if required,
resume at approximately 8:30 AM ET. This will allow the Waterway Net to
conducts their daily net.

Any change in Net Operation plans will be noted here, on our website, the
networks of 14.300.00 MHz, and many additional amateur radio networks and
media.

Overnight, we tracked 3 hurricanes: Irma, José, and Katia.

All data from this point forward comes from the 500 AM EDT – 0900 UTC
Advisories.

Katia made north of Tecolutla Mexico as a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum
sustained wind of 75 mph. As of the 400 AM EDT – 0900 UTC Advisory, Katia
was beginning to stall near the Sierra Madre Mountains. Katia is expected
to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches with isolated
maximum amounts of 25 inches.

José is a Category 4 Hurricane with maximum sustained wind of 150 mph (240
km/h) moving to the west-northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h). On the forecast
track, the core of José will pass close to or just east of the northern
Leeward Islands today.

Irma is a powerful and deadly Hurricane. The eye continues to moving over
the Camaguey Archipelago of Cuba as a Category 4 Hurricane. Irma has
maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h), moving to the west-northwest
at 12 mph (19km/h). The storm was located about 45 miles (70 km) east of
Caibarien Cuba and about 245 miles (395 km) south-southeast of Miami,
Florida.

Key Messages from the 500 AM EDT – 0900 UTC Discussion:
1. Irma will continue to bring life-threatening wind, storm surge, and
rainfall hazards to portions of the Bahamas and the north coast of Cuba,
especially over the adjacent Cuban Keys, through tonight.

2. Irma is expected to make landfall in Florida as an extremely dangerous
major hurricane, and will bring life-threatening wind impacts to much of
the state regardless of the exact track of the center.

3. There is the danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation in
portions of central and southern Florida, including the Florida Keys,
during the next 36 hours, where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect. The
threat of significant storm surge flooding along the southwest coast of
Florida has increased, and 8 to 12 feet of inundation above ground level is
possible in this area. This is a life-threatening situation. Everyone in
these areas should take all actions to protect life and property from
rising water and follow evacuation instructions from local officials.

4. Irma is expected to produce very heavy rain and inland flooding. Total
rain accumulations of 8 to 15 inches, with isolated amounts of 20 inches
are expected over the Florida Keys and much of the Florida peninsula
through Tuesday night. Irma will likely bring periods of heavy rain to much
of the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, South Carolina, and western North
Carolina early next week, including some mountainous areas which are more
prone to flash flooding. All areas seeing heavy rainfall from Irma will
experience a risk of flooding and flash flooding.

As with any net activation, HWN requests observed ground-truth data from
those in the affected area (Wind Speed, Wind Gust, Wind Direction,
Barometric Pressure – if available, Rainfall, Damage, and Storm Surge).
Measured weather data is always appreciated but estimated data is accepted.
We will also be interested to collect and report significant damage
assessment data back to FEMA officials stationed in the National Hurricane
Center.

In addition to collecting weather data for the forecasters at the National
Hurricane Centers and reading the latest advisories, bulletins, and
updates, we can also handle any emergency or priority traffic.
Additionally, we are available to provide backup communications to official
agencies such as Emergency Operations Centers and Red Cross officials in
the affected area.

On a personal note, I consider landfalling hurricanes to that of a fire. We
never know when a fire (landfalling hurricane), or multiple fires will
occur. Our members are ready and willing to go to work and do what is
necessary to gather reports, disseminate the latest advisories, and handle
emergency or priority traffic. I realize our net operations have disrupted
normal amateur radio activity on the frequencies of 14.325 MHz and 7.268
MHz, but the fire alarm sounded.

I wish to sincerely thank the daily users of these frequencies to allow us
to serve our fellow man in a serious time of need. We do pray these storms
are over soon as we, members of the Hurricane Watch Net, many who have
regular working jobs, have taken time off to assist in Hurricane Weather
Emergency. Please bear with us as we continue to help those affected and
yet to be affected. We will return these frequencies to normal amateur
radio use as soon as this Weather Emergency has passed.

Please, keep those who are in the path of these dangerous hurricanes in
your thoughts and prayers!

As always, we are praying and hoping for the best yet preparing for the
worst.

Sincerely,
Bobby Graves
KB5HAV
Net Manager
Hurricane Watch Net