[SMCARA] My name is Earl - More thoughts...

[Tom Shelton]

A few more thoughts in addition to those of Tom and Ren...  And I don't think we are over-reacting at all...



Earl has just been upgraded to a Category 3 storm and is expected to strengthen to a Cat 4.  Current models show it following a path up the eastern coast, but staying out to sea.  It is possible that it could make land-fall somewhere between North Carolina and Massachusetts.  Even if it doesn't make land-fall, it will certainly affect those areas by spinning off storms, high winds, possible tornados, or it could miss us completely.

 

The first thing you need to do is make sure that you and your family are safe in case the worst happens.  We could be without power for some time, so make sure you have food that doesn't require refrigeration and be sure to have some bottled water around.  St. Mary's county has an emergency notification system - sign up for the notifications at: http://www.stmarysmd.com/emergencycodered.asp

 

As Hams, we may be called upon to support our friends and neighbors.  Make sure your stations are up to the task.  Charge up your handhelds and spare batteries, coordinate simplex frequencies with other hams near your home.  Let your neighbors know that you will be able to communicate if phones (including cells) go down.  If you have alternate power available (generators, batteries, etc.) make sure they are ready to go (have extra gas) and give them a test run before the storm hits.


Tom Shelton 

No electrons were harmed in the sending of this message, although several were terribly inconvenienced.
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