Houston Area ARES Activates in Response to Flood Emergency

ARRL South Texas Section Emergency Coordinator Frank Aguilar, N5SSH, reported on June 2 that South Texas District 14 Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) has activated in response to continued flooding in the area. He said there have not been any communications failures, but ARES is assisting with other communication-related “situational awareness issues” for now. District 14 ARES activated at the request of Harris County Homeland Security Office of Emergency Management.

“Heavy rainfall continues to fall across Harris County and Southeast Texas,” said District 14 Emergency Coordinator Jeff Walter, KE5FGA. “The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) has moved to Level 3 — Increased Readiness — in response to the potential threat of extensive flooding over the next several days.”

Walter said ARES volunteers will monitor reports from the field with respect to street flooding “that may need the new barricade rule put into effect.”

He asked volunteers having WebEOC access to input information via that route, using June 2016 Regional Severe Weather event. Otherwise, he asked volunteers to either call in by their area, rather than unit affiliation, on the net frequency or use a local repeater.

Frequencies to be monitored in the TranStar communications center will include:

147.000 (103.5 Hz) (info net)
146.720 (123.0 Hz) (NW area)
145.190 (123.0 Hz) (SW area)
145.430 (NE area)
146.640 (SE area)

“We need volunteers to work with the shift leaders, or if you are open to being a shift leader please advise,” Walter said. “Do not show up at TranStar without prior approval. Do not go out and seek rising water. Do not let inexperience or lack of equipment stop you from volunteering. Experience is gained from activity. Equipment can be provided.”

Source:ARRL