[K3PZN-List] What did you do today?

[Keith Krichinsky]

ARES training begins on Saturday 1/29 at 9:00 AM at the FTC.

ARES/RACES Aid in California Flood Response

NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 13, 2005--Flooding and a devastating mudslide in
Southern California kept Ventura County ARES/RACES members on the move
this week. Among other activities, ARES/RACES has supported
communication at shelters housing La Conchita residents displaced by a
massive and deadly mudslide January 10 that killed at least 10 people.
A town of some 250 inhabitants, La Conchita is approximately 65 miles
north of Los Angeles.

"Several communities were cut off from access to the outside world
during the flooding, including the Ojai area and the cities of Santa
Paula, Fillmore, and Piru," reports David Gilmore, AA6VH, ARES
District Emergency Coordinator and Ventura County RACES Radio Officer.
He said five shelters were opened during the course of the flooding,
providing refuge to more than 700 evacuees. Gilmore said the hospital
in Ojai also experienced flooding, but the community's flood-initiated
isolation would have made it extremely difficult to transfer patients
to other facilities.

"An ARES/RACES member stood by at the radio communications room at the
hospital during this crisis, while the flooding was dealt with," he
said. "Fortunately, the effects of the flooding were able to be
contained, and the hospital was able to continue operating."

In the midst of dealing with the La Conchita mudslide and the
subsequent--and now suspended--rescue/recovery effort, Ventura County
also faced a forecast of additional heavy rainfall plus a prediction
that the Santa Felicia dam at Lake Piru might overflow January 11.

"The integrity of the dam itself was never in doubt," Gilmore
explained. "However the amount of water flowing into the reservoir was
of sufficient volume that if an overflow occurred, the community of
Piru--located at the very eastern part of Ventura County and below the
dam--was expected to experience considerable damage."

In light of the threat, authorities ordered residents to evacuate to
higher ground, and requested Ventura County ARES/RACES to set up radio
communications inside the community. Access to Piru was already
difficult, Gilmore explained, and once flooding commenced the town was
expected to become completely inaccessible.

"We realized that any personnel who went to Piru could become stranded
for several days, along with the Piru residents," he said.
Nonetheless, Ventura County ARES/RACES members did not hesitate to
volunteer for the assignment.

"Steve King, KE6WEZ, immediately packed his vehicle with supplies and
extra radio equipment, and headed out," Gilmore said. Although his
trip was hampered by closed or flood-damaged roadways, the California
Highway Patrol immediately let King through. "He drove the perilous
journey along Highway 126 to Piru, navigating through flowing water
and mudslides that already littered the road," Gilmore said.

Although two more operators--Dan Halpert, WA6JQB, and Karl Baird,
KG6KRN, had also prepared to go, King's vehicle was the last allowed
in before nightfall, when the highway became too dangerous to travel.

Once there King spent a busy--and uncomfortable--night supporting
communication for the more than 500 flood refugees, who had little in
the way of supplies. At one point, authorities ordered an emergency
evacuation for one resident. The area lost electrical power around 3
AM, although a small generator was located and brought on line as dawn
approached.

Fortunately, the anticipated heavy rain did not materialize, and the
release of water over the dam was held back enough to avoid affecting
residential housing. Piru residents were allowed to return home the
next morning, and King was able to get back home for a well-deserved
rest, Gilmore said.

As the severe weather wound down, so did the Ventura County ARES/RACES
activation. Gilmore said the team remains on standby if additional
communication problems arise.

Heavy rainfall in California in recent days has resulted in mudslides
that left at least two dozen people dead. California Gov Arnold
Schwarzenegger, who toured La Conchita January 12, has declared a
state of emergency in Ventura County. The Salvation Army and the
American Red Cross are cooperating in meeting the needs of those
displaced by the flooding and mudslides.

So, what did YOU do today?

-- 
Keith Krichinsky - W3MDC

"No genetically modified electrons were used in the
 preparation of this e-mail."