A marker on a tree in Doran, Virginia, indicates that floodwaters have reached the 10-foot mark.
A marker on a tree in Doran, Virginia, indicates that floodwaters have reached the 10-foot mark. |
NEWINGTON, CT, Mar 21, 2002--Amateur Radio operators in the Appalachian region this week responded to assist after heavy rains caused flooding in several states. The flooding closed numerous roads, damaged or destroyed many structures, forced residents from their homes and has been blamed for at least seven deaths.
In Kentucky, ARRL Section Emergency
Coordinator Ron Dodson, KA4MAP, says the Red Cross has asked for a half dozen
hams to form damage assessment teams to work in Knox County. According to press
reports, hundreds of homes and businesses were flooded out as heavy rain spread
throughout the eastern part of the state. Flooding from Ashland to Winchester
followed earlier flooding in the Harlan area. The Salvation Army also has
responded to assist.
 Flood waters surround a house in Tazewell County, Virginia. |
The National Weather Service issued flood
warnings for Carroll and Owen counties where the Kentucky River had overflowed
following up to four inches of rain on Tuesday. Flooding also forced Morehead
State University to close Wednesday after more than four inches of rain fell
there. Emergency declarations have been issued in at least eight counties and
five cities in Kentucky. No Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio
Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) activations have been reported so far
in Kentucky.
 Rained out: A ballfield in Richlands, Virginia, is swamped. [Alfred Keen, N4ZZQ/Phil Mohon, KU4RK Photos] |
In extreme Southwest Virginia, heavy rain last weekend swelled streams and rivers beyond flood stage, reportedly covering highways--and even sweeping away some bridges--and forcing more than 1000 residents to flee their homes. ARES and RACES teams were called up last Sunday to staff the Scott County Emergency Operations Center.
"Many major highways were under water for a period of time, and quite a few secondary roads are still impassable," Scott County EC Jimmy Flanary, K4GV, reported. Although shelters were set up, most people refused evacuation, he said. "They simply went to a friend's or relative's house to stay." Scott County ARES/RACES is currently on standby, Flanary said. ARRL District 14 Emergency Coordinator Phil Mohon, KU4RK, said hams in Tazewell County volunteered to help out in any way they could, but there was no formal ARES activation. Amateurs also were reported to have activated informally in Lee, Wise, Washington and Russell counties.
Additional flooding occurred in West
Virginia. West Virginia ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Mac McMillian, W8XF,
reports that several counties and the state EOC have been put on standby, but
no ARES/RACES activations have been necessary. Up to three inches of rain fell
Wednesday in West Virginia, forcing 100 residents in Cabell, Wayne and Roane
counties to leave their homes. Flooding also occurred this week in eastern
Tennessee.
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