The following is an update from the Hurricane Watch Net. Please keep in mind that this doesn’t indicate activation or deployment of ClayARES members. Do not self-deploy.

All ClayARES members are encouraged to monitor and assist the Hurricane Watch Net as their frequency privileges allow. Please remember that the Hurricane Watch Net is a directed net and is closed to non-net members or stations that are not in areas impacted by named storms. Please do not transmit on HWN frequencies unless specifically instructed to do so by the net control station.

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Fiona is now heading towards the Canadian Maritimes. The forward speed of Fiona has increased overnight and is expected to continue gaining speed. Therefore, the Hurricane Watch Net will activate this Friday afternoon beginning at 5:00 PM EDT (2100 UTC) on both 14.325.00 MHz and 7.268.00 MHz. We will remain in continuous operation until we lose propagation on 14.325 and will resume at 8:00 AM EDT (1200 UTC). Saturday morning, we will pause operations on 7.268 MHz starting at 7:00 AM EDT (1100 UTC) and resume once the Waterway Net has completed its daily Net.

Once operations for Fiona have been completed, we will then shift our focus to Tropical Depression 9 which is expected to become a Cat 1 Hurricane late Sunday evening or early Monday morning. And are already planning for a possible Sunday afternoon activation beginning at 10:00 AM EDT (1400 UTC) on both 14.325.00 MHz and 7.268.00 MHz. Once activated, we will remain in continuous around-the-clock operations for as long as propagation allows.

As with any Net activation, we look for reporting stations that can provide us with any measured or estimated weather information that we can relay directly to the forecasters at National Hurricane Center in Miami. For storms affecting Canada, we support the Canadian Hurricane Centre with weather reports as well. All weather data is greatly appreciated whether measured or estimated. Such information we are most interested in includes maximum sustained winds, winds gusts, wind direction, barometric pressure, rainfall amount – how much over x-amount of time, storm surge, and damage.

As a reminder, we are available to provide backup communications to official agencies such as Emergency Operations Centers, Government and Non-Government Agencies, and Storm Shelters in the affected area.

As always, we greatly appreciate the daily users and various nets who use 14.325.00 MHz and 7.268.00 MHz for allowing us a clear frequency. It certainly makes our job easier and I know those in the affected area appreciate it as well.