[Scan-DC] Charles Tornado INFO 21:05

[Frederick J Cox]

All-
	I'll try to report and clear up confusion.  Though normally in
Newark, DE, I am home with multiple illnesses (mon etc) and unfortunately
(it is tearing me up) cannot participate in the rescue (home=Waldorf)
	Charles County Fire Channel 1 is 158.7750, Channel 2 is 155.085,
3 is 158.955, 4 is 158.8650.  All are simplex, non-repeater.  1 and 2 are
your best bet.  Charles County Police *are* repeater, on 155.6100 (channel
2).  You can also hear traffic on chan 1, 155.535, and 155.6400, channel
3.  HAM operators are being requested to the scene, but I have no freqs
for them (couldn't follow all that if I wanted to)
	I have 3 scanners going non stop, hard to follow that traffic, and
on scene reports.  I have been listening from the beginning.  Multiple
tornados tocuhed down in the town of Laplata, in the general vicinity of
rt 6 and 301, destroying a large portion of the town, a serious disaster.
MANY businesses and homes destroyed, countless others damaged.  On scene
reported to me " *the town is leveled* ".   Charles EOC is right there -
they have very limited telcommunications and radio, suffered some damage.
Numerous priority 1 at the hospital, Civista, 8, repeat 8 helicopters en
route, back and forth, to Laplata high school, which is a mile from the
Hospital.  The command post is at the county courthouse, with a staging
area fro fire /ems at Laplata fire station 1.  National guard has been
called in, no eta yet.  About 5 mins into disaster, EVERY tone in the
county was dropped, and many from additional adjoining counties.
	ALL HIGHWAYS INA AND OUT ARE CLOSED.  Also, a general request for
heavy equipmenty, which is being sent to the command post.  Limited
looting reported at a damaged bank, and was taken care of.

Rick


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"ad augusta per angusta"

Frederick Cox
University of Delaware
Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
(302) 831 4265
fjcox@udel.edu