Hello to all..
***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS REMAINS ON STAND-BY STATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM HURRICANE IRENE***
***WE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN ADVANCE OF THE STORM AND ARE WORKING THROUGH OUR AVAILABILITY LIST. PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR EC/DEC/ASEC/SEC OF YOUR AVAILABILITY AS OUTLINED BELOW***
Hurricane Irene made landfall this morning along the outer banks of North Carolina and slowly continues her track towards the Southern New England region. All computer model guidance products have are now in agreement that Irene will travel up the coast overnight tonight and make landfall along Long Island and Southern CT (possibly Coastal RI) as a Category-1 Hurricane. Should the storm make landfall, this would be the first land falling hurricane in New England since Bob of 1991. Most importantly, Irene has a significantly large wind-field with strong winds being felt well away from the storm center. For further meteorological updates, please see the NWS Taunton SKYWARN home page at http://www.wx1box.org
We are continuing to collect availability for potential deployment to some of our served agencies. As of Saturday morning, 8/27, we have received several requests in advance of the storm including local EOC’s, American Red Cross, and hospital locations. We are currently reviewing all submitted availability and will be sending out assignments as needed. As a reminder, please do not self-deploy. Check with your local ARES leadership for additional information on deployments.
Please continue to advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from Saturday morning, 8/27 through early next week. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. 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 and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.
When sending your availability, please continue to send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to hurricane@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.
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 is fully understood.
Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org