SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX005
ARLX005 Amateur Flood Response, Relief Support Continues in Texas

ZCZC AX05
QST de W1AW  
Special Bulletin 5  ARLX005
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  July 9, 2002
To all radio amateurs 

SB SPCL ARL ARLX005
ARLX005 Amateur Flood Response, Relief Support Continues in Texas

Upwards of 150 Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) team members
and other amateurs have been supporting flood response and relief
efforts in flood-ravaged areas of Texas. ARRL South Texas Section
Manager Ray Taylor, N5NAV, reports that ARES teams are assisting the
American Red Cross, the Baptist Men's Kitchen and The Salvation Army
in their efforts to feed and clothe flood victims and to provide
them with household essentials as they begin the massive cleanup.

Although an FCC-declared communications emergency for 7285 and 3873
kHz has been terminated, responding agencies continue to make use of
HF for both health-and-welfare and tactical communications, Taylor
said. ''We're doing as much as we can on 2 meters,'' he said, ''but we
still really need HF.'' Taylor said amateur HF was providing the only
reliable communication in and out of some flood-stricken
communities, and telephone and cellular telephone service remains
erratic.

Taylor, who lives in New Braunfels, said the Guadalupe River was
still overflowing the spillway at Canyon Dam north of town. So far,
13 Texas counties has been declared disaster areas. At least eight
deaths have been attributed to the flooding, which has affected
nearly 50,000 Texans.

Several days of nonstop rain between June 30 and July 6 generated
some of the worst flooding in 100 years and caused thousands to flee
their homes. Some areas of central Texas--which had been suffering
drought conditions--received nearly three feet of rain. As residents
have been allowed to return home this week, most Red Cross shelters
were closed, but a few hundred people continue to take refuge.

Taylor said the Baptist Men's Kitchen, the American Red Cross and
The Salvation Army continue operations in seven or eight communities
with Amateur Radio support.
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