SB QST @ ARL $ARLB084
ARLB084 Hurricane Watch Net Tracking Irene
ZCZC AG84
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 84 ARLB084
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT October 15, 1999
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB084
ARLB084 Hurricane Watch Net Tracking Irene
The Hurricane Watch Net reactivated today on 14.325 MHz as Hurricane
Irene threatened southern Florida. The storm was centered over Key
West as of 1500 UTC today, and Key West authorities have declared a
state of emergency there. The Net secured last night at 0200 UTC
after the storm moved off the coast of Cuba leaving one person dead.
The net resumed operation today at 1100 UTC to track the storm's
progress toward Florida.
Hurricane Watch Net participants file real-time storm and weather
data, which is relayed to forecasters via W4EHW at the National
Hurricane Center in Miami.
The National Weather Service has posted storm warnings on both sides
of the Florida peninsula. A hurricane warning remains in effect from
south of Florida City around the Florida peninsula to the Anclote
Keys, including all of the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas.
Irene is considered to be less of a wind threat than a flooding
threat. Winds are barely hurricane strength--around 75 MPH with some
higher gusts--but the storm is dumping considerable rainfall in
southern Florida.
ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director Evelyn Gauzens, W4WYR,
reports the storm's current track is bringing stronger winds to the
Miami area than expected, with gusts of 60 MPH and expected to
increase later today. Up to 20 inches of rain is expected in the
Miami vicinity. Power and telephone outages already are occurring as
the winds increase, she said. Two shelters are open in the Miami
area for evacuees from flooded areas, which are becoming more
numerous.
Southern Florida ARES Net Manager Jim Goldsberry, KD4GR, reports
voluntary evacuations in Collier County and a couple of shelters
open there.
The National Weather Service predicts a storm surge of 5 to 7 feet
above normal tide levels is expected in the warning area of
southwestern Florida and 2 to 4 feet in the Florida Keys and Florida
Bay. Hurricane force winds now extend some 45 miles from the storm's
center. There is a risk of isolated tornadoes over portions of
southern Florida and the Florida Keys today.
At 1500 UTC, the storm was located very near Key West, 100 miles
south of Naples, Florida, and moving toward the north-northeast at
around 8 MPH. On this track, the storm was expected to reach the
southwest Florida coast this evening.
NNNN
/EX
