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 Previous: The K7RA Solar Update |  Next: ISS Astronaut Gets in the JOTA Spirit |
 The projected path of Hurricane Wilma as of 1500 UTC October 21 (click link for updated and expanded graphics). [NOAA Graphic] |
NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 21, 2005--The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz has again readjusted its activation plans to align with revised forecasts for Hurricane Wilma, which has slowed its forward motion. In addition, Florida ARES teams now have several contingency plans based on various forecast scenarios. As of 1500 UTC, the northwestern eyewall of the Category 4 storm was reported over Cozumel, Mexico, and forecasters say Wilma could make landfall on the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula tonight.
"Wilma simply is not being very cooperative," HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP said Thursday evening. "Plans laid over the past couple of days just don't adequately respond to the need."
The HWN activated at 1300 UTC today for coverage on the Yucatan Peninsula and will have its bilingual support team on hand to assist in providing essential advisory information to the affected area and to collect any locally observed or measured weather data for relay to the NHC via the center's WX4NHC. Under the latest plan, the HWN will not activate Saturday but will resume operations Sunday, October 23, at 1700 UTC to identify potential reporting stations "including EOCs, Red Cross and Salvation Army shelters," Pilgrim said.
"We will remain active until the 20 meter band shuts us down," he announced. "We will resume operations Monday, October 24, 1300 UTC and remain active as long as hurricane Wilma remains as a threat over the US mainland." He reiterated that the net's plans remain subject to further change.
Pilgrim said the HWN's October 20 session netted only a single report from Mexico, and he expressed concern that the Amateur Radio community in the affected region has not taken greater advantage of the net's services. "I'm further concerned that we may be met by the same level of silence [today]," he said. The HWN will be up and running to provide the region with the most recent forecast advisories and to be available to respond to any requests for assistance.
"I pledge that we will make our presence known on our net frequency of 14.325 MHz," he added, "and we will be there for as long as it appears we are needed by the reporting stations checking in from the affected area."
Once it clears the Yucatan Peninsula, Wilma is forecast to make a sharp right-hand turn toward a second landfall sometime early Monday along the southwestern Florida coast. The storm is expected to traverse the South Florida peninsula before emerging into the Atlantic around midday Monday.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is advising all interests in the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula to "closely monitor the progress of extremely dangerous Hurricane Wilma," which is packing maximum sustained winds near 145 MPH. Even though the storm is likely to weaken to a Category 1 or 2 storm over the Florida Peninsula, huge storm surges and heavy rainfall are expected.
In a message to net members, Pilgrim pointed out that Hurricane Wilma "is being advertised as the most significantly destructive event ever to encounter the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula." And he expressed hopes that the net can be "a key life-saving resource."
The HWN and WX4NHC work together to gather ground-level weather data to assist NHC meteorologists to fine tune their forecasts. WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, says the station also will provide back-up communication to National Weather Service (NWS) field offices in the affected area.
"We ask that all NWS field offices in the affected have an Amateur Radio station equipped with battery backup in operation for backup communications to NHC and NWS," Ripoll said Thursday. He also requested that stations give 14.325 MHz a wide berth when the HWN and WX4NHC are active.
"We ask that all stations be sensitive to the mission HWN and WX4NHC are doing and to please move their operating far enough from 14.325 MHz to allow us to copy the weak signals," he requested.
In addition to the HWN, WX4NHC will monitor VoIP modes, including the EchoLink WX-Talk Conference Room and IRLP node 9219, plus CWOP APRS and MADIS/MESONET automated weather stations in the affected area. Amateur weather enthusiasts and ON-NHC volunteers may report directly to WX4NHC on-line.
 The eye of Hurricane Wilma, as viewed earlier this week from the International Space Station. At the time, Wilma was the strongest Atlantic hurricane in history, with winds near 175 miles per hour. [NASA Photo] |
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
All Amateur Radio volunteers must obtain a tracking number from the Florida Emergency Operations Center before deploying. ARES/RACES volunteers--whether or not they reside in Florida--should contact ARRL Northern Florida Section Manager Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, or Section Emergency Coordinator Joe Bushel, W2DWR, to coordinate their activities. Volunteers should not self deploy.
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) teams in Southern Florida are getting ready too. ARRL Southern Florida SEC Jeff Beals, WA4AW, tells ARRL that Wilma's erratic behavior has changed plans in his section too. "Most Southern Florida counties will begin activations on Sunday," he said. The Southern Florida ARES Net (SFAN) on 7.242 MHz days/3.940 evenings will begin special sessions when the NHC issues a hurricane warning that includes the Section, he said.
Beals said several counties have reported activation plans, shelter openings, Red Cross and hospital deployments. They include Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St Lucie, Indian River, Collier, Lee, Okeechobee and Glades counties. Beals says he's been advised that Florida Navy Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) will activate nets for Wilma as well.
ARRL Southern Florida SM Sherri Brower, W4STB, adds that ARES will staff American Red Cross shelters, health department special needs shelters, hospitals and Red Cross chapter houses. "Post-storm we'll need relief ops and an unknown number of shelter ops," she said. "Since we don't know where it will hit we can't do much but stand by at present." Brower said Southern Florida already was getting offers from Amateur Radio volunteers willing to assist after the storm passes. SKYWARN teams also are expected to be on alert.
The Northern Florida Traffic Net has been meeting on 3.950 MHz at 0900 and 1930 EDT daily.
ARRL Headquarters has been monitoring the Hurricane Wilma
situation and maintaining regular contact with Field Organization leadership in
all three Florida Sections.
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