Tornado Strikes Oklahoma City Area; FCC Declares Communications Emergency
NEWINGTON, CT, May 9, 2003--ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager John Thomason, WB5SYT, reports that amateurs responded "within minutes" of a tornado that struck the Oklahoma City area May 8, and they remain in place. News reports say more than 100 people were injured as a result of the tornado that leveled or damaged hundreds of structures, including a General Motors manufacturing plant. Hardest hit was the suburb of Moore.
"Emergency communication, delivering supplies to Salvation Army canteens and helping with health and welfare are in process," Thomason said. "This tornado hit some of the same areas as did the F5 tornado of May 1999." The 1999 storm claimed nearly 50 lives.
To keep an open frequency for amateurs to support The Salvation Army's relief efforts, the FCC has declared a general communications emergency for the Oklahoma area. Effective immediately, amateurs are required to refrain from using 3900 kHz, plus or minus 3 kHz, unless they are taking part in the handling of emergency traffic. The order remains in effect until rescinded.
Thomason said many of the hams helping now also were active following the 1999 storm as well as in the wake of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in 1995. In addition to HF, amateurs were making use of repeaters on 146.82, 147.09 and 146.67 MHz "and perhaps others," Thomason said.
"The Amateur Radio effort will be under way for some time," he said, "and relief help is needed." He advised amateurs in the Oklahoma City area to check in on the 146.82 repeater to advise of their availability.
"These types of events are stressful and demanding, so be patient with the public, the process and your fellow Amateur Radio operators," Thomason urged in a message to his Section. "By pulling together during these times the public which desperately needs our help benefits. Courtesy and brevity are crucial. Thank you for your support and willingness to assist in this emergency."
More than 30,000 homes in the Oklahoma City area were without power in the aftermath of the tornado, which struck around rush hour and tied up traffic on two major interstates.
Page last modified: 01:05 PM, 09 May 2003 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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