***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO REMAIN ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO IMPACTS FROM MAJOR NOREASTER IMPACTING SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND***
***NEARLY 700,000 WITHOUT POWER IN MASSACHUSETTS AS OF 8AM***
An anomalous but significant early season nor’easter impacted the region overnight with near blizzard conditions for most of interior MA and nearly hurricane force winds on the Cape in several areas resulting in extensive reports of tree and power line damage. As of 8am, there are nearly 700,000 power outages across Massachusetts, with numerous outages in surrounding states. Numerous roads remain blocked due to downed trees and wires, so it could be several hours if not days before the full impact of this storm is realized. Here are the latest Local Storm Reports and Public Information Statements from NWS Taunton:
Local Storm Report (Damage): http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nwus51.KBOX.html
Public Information Statement (Wind/Snowfall): http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nous41.KBOX.html
If you have any damage, snowfall, flooding, or wind reports, please continue to relay them to your local SKYWARN net control station, or contact a member of the EMA ARES leadership. Pictures of storm damage can be sent to pics@nsradio.org and credit will be given to the spotter when forwarding to media, emergency management, and the National Weather Service unless otherwise noted.
Due to the extent of the damage with this storm, EMA ARES remains on stand-by and this is expected to last into the middle part of this week. Although we have not yet received any requests for assistance, we continue to compile 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. When sending your availability, please 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 aresmat@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.
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.
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.
The next update to this message will be issued either late Sunday night or early Monday morning. 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