The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina are now being felt, to an extent, here in Loudoun.

        The Emergency Operations Center and most Emergency Management Agencies are in a state of enhanced readiness and some efforts are being made to prepare for a regional response to the refugee situation.

        The Loudoun Red Cross has opened a relocation Shelter in Arcola to house about 60 people displaced by Katrina.

        At this time, Amateur Radio support is not required.

        We should, however, hold ourselves in an elevated state of readiness should our services be required.

        Tropical disturbances will continue to form in the Atlantic for some time to come and we are not safe from other potential disasters.

        The emergency response system and our served agencies will be stretched a bit while dealing with Katrina, so additional emergencies, should they occur, are likely to make things more difficult than we are accustomed to. Amateurs from around the country are volunteering for service in the New Orleans, LA (NOLA) vicinity, which means we will be stretched, as well, in their absence.

        Now is the time to make certain that you are fully prepared for a weather related or other emergency, particularly since Katrina is consuming such prodigious amounts of Emergency Response Resources.

        Make certain your families (and pets) are equipped with sufficient non-perishable food and plenty of potable water.

        Make certain your first aid kit is in good shape, and that you have a sufficient supply of all necessary medications.

        Make certain that your spouse is prepared to hold down the fort at home during your participation in a communications emergency.

        Make certain that your spouse knows how to hook up and operate your generator, if you have one, and that the hazards of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are well understood.

        Make certain that your spouse has access to, and is familiar with operation of battery operated broadcast radios, and All Hazard/Weather Radios.

        It is suggested that your spouse have access to, and be familiar with the operation of a portable, battery operated scanner, programmed to the local amateur frequencies.

        Make certain that you have spare batteries and bulbs for all your flashlights and portable radios.

        Make sure your radio equipment is in good working order, that your emergency power systems, be they batteries or generators, are in top shape.

        Make certain you can quickly rig a replacement antenna should yours be damaged by wind.

        Make certain that your fuel tanks are full (as painful as that may be at present).

        While there were unique factors that contributed to the severity of Katrina's impact in the NOLA area, we can take away some lessons from what has happened there.

        On the personal level, do you know where you could relocate to if your home were to become uninhabitable?

        What essential documents should you take with you, and can they be easily found, transported and kept dry?

        Do you have the capability to keep refrigerated medications cool for a few days?

        Do you have bottled water that you can carry with you? (Remember, most of us can go a few days without food, but dehydration is a significant short-term danger for everyone.)

        No doubt, there are other questions that will arise over the coming weeks.

        I will issue more information as it becomes available to me.

73

Tom Dawson
WB3AKD
ARES EC Loudoun County, VA
(540) 454-0520 (Cell)
(877) 790-3115 (Pager)
[email protected]

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