Forecast track of Hurricane Fabian, now a category 3 storm. [NOAA/NWS Graphic]
NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 5, 2003--Volunteers on the Hurricane Watch Net, at the National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC in Miami and with the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) are keeping tabs on Hurricane Fabian. The storm is expected to strike Bermuda late today.
Forecast track of Hurricane Fabian, now a category 3 storm. [NOAA/NWS Graphic] |
WX4NHC Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator John McHugh, KU4GY, says The Weather Channel plans to do a segment on ham radio and the National Hurricane center September 5 between 9 and 11 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
"A reporter spent some time with us at the Center a few weeks ago gathering info," he said.
The HWN and WX4NHC activated at 1200 UTC September 5. Operating on 14.325 MHz, the HWN gathers ground-level storm data from Amateur Radio weather observers and other volunteers. The net relays these reports via WX4NHC to forecasters, who use the information to get a more precise picture of a storm's potential path and damage potential. HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP, anticipates the net will remain active until 20 meters closes in the evening. SATERN's net on 14.265 MHz went on the air at 1700 UTC.
"A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Island of Bermuda," the National Hurricane Center said today. "Preparations to protect life and property should have been completed."
SATERN National Coordinator Pat McPherson, WW9E, says his organization is ready to provide any needed communication during the effort. "All shelters, commands and units are outfitted with emergency communication equipment in the event they lose power or other communication systems fail," he said. "The SATERN net will remain active as long as necessary to insure the continuity of communications." He says Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel are on full alert. Territorial Coordinator for SATERN on Bermuda Rick Shirran, VE3NUZ/VP9, reports The Salvation Army has readied a large emergency shelter at Cedarbridge Academy in Hamilton.
The National Hurricane Center is calling Fabian "a large and severe hurricane." The storm was located about 40 miles southwest of Bermuda as of 1800 UTC and moving toward the north at about 17 MPH. A category 3 hurricane, the storm is packing maximum sustained winds of nearly 120 MPH with higher gusts, and hurricane force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from its center.
Heavy rains are expected to accompany Fabian, along with coastal storm surge flooding of six to ten feet above normal and "dangerous battering waves."
Meanwhile, forecasters, weather observers, Amateur Radio Emergency Service teams and disaster relief organizations also are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Henri, which could affect Florida. A tropical storm warning for Henri remains in effect for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Englewood Northward to the Aucilla River.
Henri has maximum sustained winds of 45 MPH
with higher gusts. Forecasters say heavy rain will accompany the storm and
could cause flooding if it crosses into Florida and heads northeast up the
Eastern Seaboard. The storm was expected to reach the Florida Gulf Coast
tonight.
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