Hello to all…
***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ESSEX / MIDDLESEX / SUFFOLK COUNTIES FOR POSSIBLE MOBILIZATION STARTING AT 12 AM ET FRIDAY LASTING THROUGH AT LEAST 10PM FRIDAY EVENING DUE TO MAJOR STORM WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION***
***OTHER AREAS SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THIS SITUATION FOR ANY SIGNIFCANT CHANGES***
***SKYWARN ACTIVATION WITH OPS AT NWS TAUNTON CONTINUES UNTIL 2AM MONITORING FOR WIND DAMAGE AND COASTAL FLOODING REPORTS***
A significant coastal storm continues to affect portions of Eastern Massachusetts with most of the significant damage confined to Northeast Massachusetts. Due to the significant damage that has been reported, we are placing portions of Eastern Massachusetts ARES including ESSEX, MIDDLESEX, and SUFFOLK counties in stand-by mode from 12 AM ET Friday through at least 10pm Friday Evening in the event that support is requested by our served agencies. BRISTOL, PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK, BARNSTABLE, and the ISLANDS should closely monitor this situation in the event of a rapid change to the situation. There have been numerous reports of downed trees and power lines, power outages, and significant damage across Northeast Massachusetts into New Hampshire. A complete listing of storm damage reports from NWS-Taunton can be found at:
Local Storm Report: http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nwus51.KBOX.html
Public Information Statement: http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nous41.KBOX.html
Coastal Flood Warning: http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.KBOX.html
Flood Warning: http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wgus41.KBOX.html
Winter Storm Warning: http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html
Due to the damage caused in our neighboring New Hampshire section, including reports of several towns losing police and fire dispatch communications as well as 9-1-1 services, NHARES has activated in a Level-3 status with support to the New Hampshire State EOC. For damage reports and warning information for Rockingham County NH and points north, please visit www.erh.noaa.gov/gyx.
Back home, Massachusetts RACES has not been formally activated to support the Massachusetts State EOC. At this time, there have been no formal requests for assistance from our served agencies in Eastern MA and our Eastern Massachusetts ARES leadership continues to closely monitor this changing situation.
We’d like to have ARES personnel continue to assist with SKYWARN reporting of any wind damage and power outages, along with reports of coastal flooding. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org, monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies and reporting into the nets and monitor local media on this potentially significant storm.
What is ARES Stand-By mode?
ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.
Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
North-side Operations
Carl Aveni – N1FY
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
South-side Operations