Whittenton Pond Dam On the Mill River In Taunton ARES/RACES SitRep #4

Hello to all….

….Situation on the Whittenton Pond Dam Improving As Large Pumps from Hurricane Katrina are installed and running and pumping water out from the Mill River, relieving pressure on the Dam to allow for critical repairs before the next significant rain event….
….Amateurs Continue to be involved in shelter and EOC Operations in the city of Taunton with two relief operators sent from ARES this morning. The shelter maybe closed in the midday to early afternoon timeframe thus ending ARES/RACES Operations in the city of Taunton….
….ARES Operators and ARES SKYWARN Spotters Urged to Monitor Future Forecasts for significant rainfall late Saturday through Monday and possibly more rainfall in the Tuesday to Wednesday timeframe with moisture associated with Hurricane Wilma or its remnants….

The situation on the Whittenton Pond Dam is improving as large amounts of water are being pumped out of the Mill River with pumps used to pump out New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Some areas, specifically the downtown area of Taunton have been reopened, however, there are still about 18 streets closed in the city of Taunton. It is hoped that the remaining streets will be opened around the midday timeframe after coordination last night with Peter Ferreira-KB1LXG, Assistant Emergency Management Director for the city of Taunton.

Two relief operators have been sent in to the city of Taunton to assist with operations. Dan Howard-K1DYO from Cape Cod ARES and W3EVE-Steve Schwarm, Norfolk County ARES District Emergency Coordinator are deploying for 7 AM this morning. They understand the scope of the mission may change and that operations maybe shut down early or they could go through the afternoon. They are prepared to be flexible and adapt to the changing situation. They will be relieving Amateurs from the city of Taunton Emergency Management team who have been active for much of the week. Brad Anselmo-N1VUF from SEMARA (Southeast Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association) ARES provided relief operations during the midnight shift for both Wednesday and Thursday Mornings. The Taunton Emergency Management team has had 12 Hams active from their team and Amateurs from the Mansfield EOC/Sturdy Memorial team have been active as well as reported by Allan Cox-K1VQ through Carl Aveni-N1FY, South Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator.

ARES Operators and ARES SKYWARN Spotters are preparing for another round of heavy rainfall late Saturday into Monday. Another 1-3″ of rain is possible in the region. If amounts do not get to the 4″ area, extensive renewed flooding is not expected but if rainfall reaches or exceeds 4″ of rain, more flooding problems will develop. We are also keeping an eye on Hurricane Wilma as remnants or moisture from Wilma could affect the region Tuesday into Wednesday and if it is significant, it could result in significant renewed flooding and that threat is being monitored as well.

The situation in Taunton continues to be monitored by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator, Carl Aveni, South Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator, and Bob Mims, WA1OEZ, MEMA Region II RACES Radio Officer. Further updates will be posted as needed and as time allows.Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
1

Leave a Reply