Hurricane Watch Net, WX4NHC Get Needed Reprieve as Jeanne
Slows
 The position and projected path of Tropical Storm Jeanne as of
1500 UTC on September 17. (click link to update) [National Hurricane Center Graphic] |
NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 17, 2004--The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) is welcoming a somewhat extended respite from the near-continuous duty of the
past few weeks. The HWN stood down September 16 after Hurricane Ivan made
landfall on the Gulf Coast. The National Hurricane Center has been tracking Tropical Storm Jeanne (click
link to update forecast) for several days, and the storm, then a Category 1
hurricane, hit Puerto Rico, leaving thousands without power, before raking the
tip of the Dominican Republic with 80 MPH winds and drenching rains, causing
extensive damage and leaving several dead or injured. Power and telephones were
out in the Dominican Republic. As of 1800 UTC, Jeanne had moved just north of
Hispaniola near the Dominican Republic-Haiti border and 95 miles
south-southwest of Grand Turk Island. A hurricane warning remains in effect for
the southeastern Bahamas and for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
"It appears Tropical Storm Jeanne will not be a hurricane
threat to any populated area over the next few days," HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim,
K5MP, said today. "Perhaps that means the Hurricane Watch Net will not be
needed until Tuesday of next week at the earliest." Pilgrim said the net would
continue to monitor the situation, however. "I guess the storm gods recognize
how badly we ache and need another day off."
The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Jeanne, packing
maximum winds estimated at near 50 MPH with higher gusts, is moving toward the
west-northwest near 8 MPH. A turn toward the northwest is expected during the
next 24 hours. While the storm has weakened over Hispaniola, it could
strengthen again once it's over water during the next day or two, forecasters
say.
 The position and projected path of Tropical Storm Karl as of
1500 UTC on September 17 (click link to update). [National Hurricane Center Graphic] |
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Karl is in
the wings with 65 MPH winds--approaching hurricane strength--and moving
west-northwestward over open waters. As of 1500 UTC, the storm was some 810
miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. It's moving toward the
west-northwest at nearly 10 MPH. Karl is expected to be upgraded to a hurricane
within 24 hours.
Amateur station WX4NHC at the
National Hurricane Center works hand-in-hand with the HWN to gather real-time
ground-level weather data and damage reports from Amateur Radio volunteers in a
storm's path for relay to forecasters. WX4NHC, which also secured operations
for Hurricane Ivan September 16, is expected to reactivate for Hurricane
Jeanne, although storm damage has taken a toll on the station's all-volunteer
staff.
In addition to the HWN on HF, WX4NHC has been using IRLP
and EchoLink via the new VOIPWX Net,
which also provides streaming audio. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) on 14.265 MHz continues to handle
health-and-welfare inquiries in the wake of hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan and also works closely with the HWN. SATERN also takes health-and-welfare inquiries
via its Web site.
Page last modified: 03:45 PM, 17 Sep 2004 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif ""Intruder Signal" on 40 Meters Disappears"){kind=small}
Previous: "Intruder Signal" on 40 Meters Disappears
Next: Surfin': Tracking Spacecraft Online
