SRI Bulletin Update Harvey Texas Disaster Operations
Post date: Aug 29, 2017 3:22:25 PM
29 August 2017
(291246Z AUG 2017)
BULLETIN – UPDATE
HURRICANE HARVEY – SE TEXAS FLOODING
Please distribute to all traffic nets and EMCOMM organizations
This bulletin is a summary of current information about traffic operations relating to the SE Texas disaster area provided by our Central Area Coordinator, Steve Phillips (K6JT).
At the present time, the 7290 traffic net is handling a lot of informal, tactical traffic as well as some formal record message traffic. Some out-of-state traffic is being routed primarily to Region 5 and Central Area Net as well as the RRI Digital Traffic Network.
The State of Texas EOC wants all situational awareness inputs sent to them via Winlink. Various ARES organizations are utilizing this method. Situational awareness reports are also being transferred to WL2K by some of the key stations on the 7290 traffic net.
A request has been issued for the Region 5 (RN5) and Central Area Net (CAN) to activate Cycle 2 Monday through Friday. The manager of CAN and acting RN5 manager are reporting that there is not much traffic yet, but more is expected by Thursday.
Minimize Order
Radio Relay International is asking that ALL BULK message originations to the following zip codes be suspended until further notice:
· 77xxx (Greater Houston)
· 783xx (Corpus Christi area)
· 780xx and 781xx (Areas surrounding Corpus Christi, TX)
Disaster Welfare Inquiry messages to these areas should also be suspended until further notice.
Deliveries are not possible due to infrastructure outages. These areas are without power, Internet, or landline telephone service, and cellular service is spotty and overloaded where operational, while torrential rain continues to pound Houston, creating flooding of nearly all roads there.
Some of the further inland areas are coming back on the air. The Victoria area was hard hit and is still without power, but a TEX (Texas CW Net) station nearby (W5DY) was operating with battery power and a makeshift antenna from his RV. His home is flooded and his regular antennas were blown down.
Stations in San Antonio and Austin are back operating normally.
Operating Recommendations – Outside the Disaster Area
Here are some operating recommendations for those RRI members outside the disaster area:
At this stage in the disaster, the mechanism for originating traffic from within the disaster area is very limited. While initial traffic volumes are low, we should anticipate increasing traffic volume in the coming days as shelters become properly staffed and equipped and movement within the disaster area becomes possible . Here are some recommended steps for all traffic operators:
· Digital Traffic Stations should increase the connect/download frequency to ensure traffic relay/delivery is expedited as much as possible. Coordinate with other DTS volunteers in your state to effectively expedite traffic flow.
· Qualified CW operators should monitor our IATN calling frequencies when available to do so, particularly the 20-meter and 40-meter assignments as indicated in our mode/frequency matrix.
· Check-in to your state traffic net to accept any incoming traffic. Volumes may be low for areas outside Texas, but one should be prepared to assist if possible.
Points of Contact for Coordination/Net Activations
In keeping with standard Radio Relay International policy, any net manager or local EMCOMM official can request activation of RRI resources. The primary and secondary points-of-contact are as follows:
Steve Phillips (K6JT)
Central Area Coordinator
637 Oakdale Ave.
Plano, TX. 75025
214-208-8900
steve.phillips@radio-relay.org
James Wades (WB8SIW)
National Emergency Communications Coordinator
810 Skyline Dr.
Marion, IL. 62959
269-650-0215
END