Hello to all..
***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES REMAINS ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO IMPACTS FROM MAJOR NOREASTER IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND***
***POWER SLOWLY BEING RESTORED HOWEVER OVER 500,000 WITHOUT POWER IN MASSACHUSETTS AS OF 10AM MONDAY***
***NON-COMMUNICATIONS SHELTER SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR TOWN OF LEXINGTON***
In the aftermath of the significant early season nor’easter, several shelters opened overnight to assist people that had no heat or electricity at their residence. Additionally, 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. If you have any pictures of storm damage, please continue to send them 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. 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
We have received a request for additional volunteers in the Town of Lexington where a shelter has opened at the Lexington High School on Waltham St. They are looking for 5 operators to assist with shelter operations, however please note that this is mostly a non-communications role. As of early Monday morning, there were approximately 50 clients in this shelter with nearly 75% of the town without power. If you are interested and/or available to assist with this request, please contact your DEC who will forward your information to the proper contact. If conditions change throughout the day and the request is cancelled, we will let you know accordingly.
Most other communications infrastructure remains in-tact throughout the region although there have been localized groups supporting communications needs in isolated areas in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is possible that additional requests may come in throughout the day and ARES leadership continues to closely monitor the situation in the event additional requests for support are in fact received.
It is expected that EMA ARES will remain on stand-by through tonight into Tuesday. 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. As always, 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 no later than Tuesday Evening. 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