Hello to all!
*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES WILL REMAIN ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS THROUGH 1200 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15TH DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM HIGH WINDS AND POWER OUTAGES ***
*** EXPECTED IMPACTS ARE OVERNIGHT HIGH WINDS AFFECTING SNOW COVERED TREES AND POWER LINES CAUSING INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES AS WELL AS POST-STORM COLD TEMPERATURES ***
*** WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN AND NORTHERN MA REMAINS IN EFFECT THRHOUGH MIDNIGHT ***
ARES will remain on a stand by status until 1200 noon on Wednesday March 15th in case of any developments over night. No activations are expected at this time. Unless otherwise specified the stand by will automatically expire at 1200.
We would like to thank all the ARES members who volunteered their availability and offered to be available for deployment.
A major storm impacted the Southern New England area on Tuesday. As of 2000 59,000 residents are without power, mainly in northeastern MA. The forecast temperatures for tonight into tomorrow are lower teens through low 30s. As the low pressure system moves out a strong wind field may cause additional tree and power line damage. Any areas that got above freezing today will have a refreeze this evening causing slick roads and dangerous travel on any untreated surfaces.
This storm saw some significant gusts and damage across the region. A 100′ wind turbine tower collapsed in Galilee, RI. The highest gusts reported to SKYWARN were 74 mph in Barnstable, 70 in Rockport, MA, and 8 reports of 60+. Numerous reports of trees and wires down including some into houses and cars.
Part of the mission of ARES and SKYWARN is to help provide situational awareness and the diverse geographical distribution of amateur radio operators across the region is very helpful in gaining on the ground intelligence during storms and other incidents.
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,
Marek Kozubal (KB1NCG)
ARES Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator
SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
ASEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net
DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Metro-Boston – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net
Bristol County – KA1RSY – ka1rsy@comcast.net
Plymouth County – KA1RSY – ka1rsy@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com