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 Previous: The K7RA Solar Update |  Next: Surfin': A Quick APRS Resource |
On April 7, tornadoes struck Tennessee for the second time in less than a week. |
There was extensive property damage in the hardest-hit counties. |
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NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 14, 2006--On Friday, April 7, Western Tennessee was ravaged by tornadoes, and once again, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers were called on to help provide emergency communication. According to Tennessee Section Emergency Coordinator Jimmy Floyd, NQ4U, more than 70 counties experienced the heavy thunderstorms and tornadoes that swept the western part of the Volunteer State. In all, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued more than 130 weather watches and warnings and reported at least 26 tornadoes. Nearly two dozen counties suffered property damage and loss of life. Twelve people died, and more than 160 others were injured as a result of the severe weather.
By 1 PM local time, the Middle Tennessee Emergency Amateur Radio Society (MTEARS) repeater system carried numerous reports of severe weather and damage to many areas of the state. According to Floyd, the MTEARS UHF system spans most of Tennessee, with Nashville as its hub. Both the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) monitor the system. Local television stations monitor ARES and SKYWARN traffic, as well, he said.
The first tornado watches began in the early afternoon, and by 4:15 PM local time, the Tennessee Section ARES was placed on Alert condition "Charlie." Within 20 minutes, the entire state activated, and hams were monitoring HF and local repeaters, remaining on the air to assist in any way until almost midnight.
During the storms, the NWS in Old Hickory lost power as well as telephone service. NOAA Weather Radio and radar also were unavailable for a time. Amateur Radio volunteers stepped up to the plate, and--thanks to their emergency/disaster training--were able to relay needed information.
Wilson County Emergency Coordinator Pete Navarra, K4IWX, works for the county's emergency management agency. He said that because of information relayed via Amateur Radio, his county was able to dispatch three ambulances, two rescue trucks, one fire engine and a host of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) search-and-rescue responders and their mobile command post to hard-hit Sumner County.
Amateur Radio also helped to dramatically decrease emergency personnel response times, Navarra said. "It was interesting to hear several calls from the Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and other local agencies trying to communicate," he recounted. "Conventional methods of communication did not work--even cell phone service in Wilson County had gone out. Amateur Radio is needed and it works!"
Floyd agreed. "This has been a big test of the ARES system in Tennessee, but rest assured, we will be ready to go when needed."
| Previous: The K7RA Solar Update | Next: Surfin': A Quick APRS Resource |
