The Pilgrim ARC supports and maintains the WA1KZT repeater and the WA1YFV packet link to MEMA area II for the PROVINCETOWN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE

(PEMO)

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE ARES NTS STYLE MESSAGE FORMS (4 TO A PAGE)

THE FOLLOWING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION IS PROVIDED VIA PEMO.

THIS PAGE UPDATED:  02/18/00 

THE PEMO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

10/31/99 A new equipment shack houses the PEMO emergency comm system equipment. This includes an emergency packet radio link to  MEMA Area 2 on 145.01 MHz and voice repeater on 147.255/855 MHz.

Earle, WA1KZT, the Provincetown Emergency Management Office Director stands guard over the Emergency Communications System shack.

WA1YFV Packet link Equipment inside RF proofed enclosure.

WA1KZT repeater, controller and duplexers at the right of the packet enclosure.

All antennas are on an adjacent water tower about 200 feet above seal level.

This is a shot of the 4 element Yagi packet antenna mounted atop the water tower.  It points West towards MEMA-2 at West Bridgewater, MA.  It operates on 145.01 MHz.  The LPDA array,  facing south, is the FM ATV antenna.

(CLICK HERE FOR HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS INFO)

(CLICK HERE FOR BEAUFORT WIND STRENGTH SCALE)

(CLICK HERE FOR SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE)

 

Click link below for current wx info and maps:

http://www.weather.com/homepage.html

 

 

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

(Posted 6/20/99)

 HURRICANE AWARENESS PART 1

National Weather Service Taunton MA

Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. For

Southern New England...August Through September is our most active

Period. Since 1900...30 of the 38 tropical storms and hurricanes

Have struck in August and September. Of the 9 hurricanes which

Made landfall in southern New England...All but one did so in

August Or September. The exception was the New England hurricane

Of 1916 which made landfall on July 21st. Bertha becomes one of

Five tropical storms to have affect the region in prior to August

1st. Now is the time to review what you need to do to protect

Yourself and your family...Should a hurricane threaten the area

Later this summer.

...The evacuation question...To stay or leave...

Coastal residents May need to decide whether or not to evacuate.

If local officials recommend that you evacuate...Do so

Immediately.

...Know the elevation of your property above mean sea level.

...Know the quickest route to the nearest storm shelter.

...If possible you May wish to make prior arrangements with

Family or friends.

...If you live in a mobile or modular home...Plan to leave.

...Realize that you will not be the only one heading inland.

Be ready to leave on short notice.

...Be sure to have pictures or at the very least...Serial

Numbers and a description of items in your house for

Insurance purposes. Take your copy of the policy with

You.

...Boat owner and marina operators...

The boating community almost always suffers large losses when a

Hurricane comes ashore. The boat owner in particular must stay up

To date on the latest forecasts and positions of tropical storms

And hurricanes...And be ready to act long before the storm makes

Its final approach.

...Boat owners should have all the necessary gear on board

For properly tieing down the vessel at the start of the

Boating season. Precious time will be lost if you are

Rushing around searching for gear when the storm is

Approaching.

...Realize that you May not be able to pull your boat out of

The water. Your only alternative will be to properly tie

Your boat down. Practice these procedures at the start

Of the season.

...Have a plan worked out with the marina operator so there

Are no questions or any confusion when the time comes to

Tie up or pull the boat out of the water.

...Be sure to remove any non-Essential items and have

Pictures and a written description of the vessel for

Insurance purposes.

...The inland wind threat...

Inland residents May not need to evacuate...But must properly

Prepare their property for high winds and disrupted utility power.

...Boarding up windows is a necessity for homes exposed to

High winds. Have nails and boards on hand for this

Purpose.

...Know where you will store outdoor furniture.

...Be ready to obtain bottled water. Local water supplies

Often become contaminated after hurricanes.

...Have plenty of batteries on hand for flash lights...AM/fm

Radios...And your NOAA weather radio.

...Do not use candles. Many people have been injured or

Killed during and after hurricanes from fires set off by

Candles.

...Have canned food and other items that do not need

Refrigeration on hand. It is almost a certainty that

Electrical and phone power will be disrupted.

...The "often forgotten" river flood threat...

While most southern new englanders relate hurricanes to severe

Coastal flooding...And rightfully so...History shows us that 15

Tropical storms and hurricanes since 1900 have caused significant

Inland small stream and river flooding.

...Know where the closest storm shelter is located...And the

Quickest route to it.

...Be ready to evacuate immediately if flooding occurs or is

Expected to occur.

...If the inland river flood threat is high...You May wish to

Evacuate before the hurricane hits.

...Like coastal residents and boat owners...Have pictures and

Descriptions of items in your home for insurance purposes.

Of all the many weather hazards that affect southern new

England...The hurricane is by far the most destructive. Unlike

Most other weather hazards...A hurricane can impact every area of

Southern New England producing the deadly combination of coastal

Inundation...Severe wind damage both along the coast as well as

Inland...And torrential rainfall resulting in widespread small

Stream and river flooding. Respect the power of the hurricane

And be ready to act should one pose a threat to our area.

The public information statement for Wednesday will discuss

Actions you should take when a hurricane watch is issued.

 

HURRICANE AWARENESS PART 2

A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions are possible

In the designated watch area within the next 36 hours. It is

Essential that you keep informed about the progress of the

Hurricane and take the necessary preparedness actions to minimize

Property losses and personal risk.

You should have a hurricane tracking chart handy. Many local

Radio or tv stations broadcast this information. Your local NOAA

Weather radio station will always broadcast the latest positions

As a hurricane approaches along with a variety of storm related

Information. Its your best source of weather information...At

Your fingertips...24 hours a day.

When a hurricane threatens...Your National Weather Service urges

You to follow these preparedness rules:

...Evacuation possibility...

...Make arrangements now for the relocation of pets should

You have to evacuate. Many shelters do not allow pets.

...Have your car filled with gas and ready to go should you

Be asked to leave your home.

...Be certain of which shelter you must go to and what the

Safest route is.

...Anyone living in a mobile home should plan to relocate to

A more sturdy shelter.

...Emergency supplies...

...Make sure you get refills on needed prescriptions and

Other personal supplies.

...Have plenty of batteries for radios and flashlights.

...Have a full tank of gas in your car.

...Stock up on packaged foods and canned goods that require

Little or no cooking or refrigeration.

...Put aside bottles of fresh water.

...Have boards and nails on hand to protect exposed windows.

...Boat owners...

...Remove your boat from the water. You will not have time if

You wait for the warning to be issued. Remember that you

Will not be the only person at your location trying to get

A boat out of the water.

...For those that cannot remove the boat from the water...Tie

Up your boat at this time. Be sure to have plenty of extra

Lines...Chaffing gear and fenders. Fully charge the

Battery.

...Insure your vessel is as watertight as possible.

...Remove all non-Permanent equipment.

...Miscellaneous items...

...Move all outdoor furniture and toys indoors.

...Remove the pool cover and store it inside. Fill

The pool with water and remove any non-Permanent

Equipment.

...After you are through...Check on your neighbors and see

If they need assistance.

If you follow these steps when a hurricane watch is issued...You

Will be prepared and ready to act quickly and calmly should the

Watch be upgraded to a warning.

The Thursday public information statement will discuss the actions

To take for those that must evacuate once the hurricane warning is

Issued.

HURRICANE AWARENESS PART 3

When a hurricane warning is issued...You must act swiftly to

Protect your property and reduce personal risk. A hurricane

Warning means that destructive winds of 74 mph or higher and

Dangerously high tides can be expected in the warning area within

24 hours.

Your National Weather Service urges you to follow these safety

Tips if you must evacuate:

...Before you leave your home...

...Make sure that all family members not at home know where

You will be staying.

...Move valuable items to higher points within your home or

Have a close friend or relative inland store them for you.

...Turn off all gas...Water and electrical services.

...Unplug all electrical items.

...Lock all windows and doors and wedge sliding glass doors

To prevent them from lifting out of their tracks.

...If you have not done so already...Move all outdoor items

Including furniture...Plants...And trash cans indoors.

...Pack enough clothes for all family members heading to the

Storm shelter.

...Bring along the important papers including insurance

Policies...Inventory lists...And medical information.

...Travel tips...

...Do not drive farther than necessary.

...Take familiar routes...Especially if you are traveling at

Night.

...Make sure you have a full tank of gas.

...Always leave before the onset of gale force winds and

Heavy rain. New England Hurricanes are often preceded by

A false period of calm before conditions deteriorate

Rapidly. Do not be fooled.

...Items to take to the shelter...

...Take along blankets...Sleeping bags...Pillows and towels.

...Take along any necessary medications as well as personal

Hygiene items including soap...A toothbrush and

Toothpaste.

...Remember that pets...Alcoholic beverages...And weapons are

Not allowed at evacuation shelters.

Following these actions will make this very stressful and

Difficult time go a bit more smoothly. Always keep updated on the

Latest statements during the storm...And be ready to evacuate

Immediately. The more you have prepared...The less time will be

Needed for you and your family to make the transition to the storm

Shelter.

The Friday public information statement will address actions for

Inland residents to take for those staying at home when a

Hurricane warning is issued.

HURRICANE AWARENESS PART 4

National Weather Service Taunton MA

When a hurricane warning is issued...Inland residents must be

Ready to act swiftly to protect their property and reduce personal

Risk. A hurricane warning means that destructive winds of 74 mph

Or higher and dangerously high tides can be expected in the

Warning area within 24 hours or less.

Your National Weather Service urges you to follow these safety

Tips:

...Preparing your home...

...Tape up or board up windows.

...Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent them from lifting out

Of their tracks.

...You May want to move electronics equipment including

Televisions...Vcr/s...And personal computers away from

Windows in case they are blown in and water enters the

Room.

...Store up bottled fresh water.

...Close drapes across windows to protect against flying

Glass.

...Bring in all outdoor items including furniture...Toys and

Trash cans.

...Fill your pool up with water and remove any non-Permanent

Objects including ladders...Slides and covers.

...Brace garage doors and avoid opening any door on the

Windward side of the home.

...Make sure your cars have a full tank of gas.

...Power failure tips...

...Have batteries ready for AM/fm radios...Flashlights and

Your NOAA weather radio.

...Have various foods available that do not need cooking or

Refrigeration.

...Be sure to unplug all non-Essential electrical items.

Personal computers are very susceptible to damage during

Power failures and power surges.

...If power is lost...Immediately turn off the gas.

...The river flood threat...

...If you live near a river or stream that is susceptible to

Flooding...Keep updated on its status and be ready to

Head for a storm shelter or other safe haven should a

Flood or flash flood warning be issued.

If you follow these actions...You will be prepared for the storm.

Think before you act. Avoid taking any unnecessary risks and make

A concerted effort to stay calm.

The Saturday public information statement will address actions to

Take after the hurricane has passed.

HURRICANE AWARENESS PART 5

Though the hurricane has passed...Many dangers still exist. You

Must be alert at all times and follow the directions from your

Local police and civil defense officials.

...For those who have evacuated...

...Do not return to your home until you have been directed

To do so.

...Upon returning...Do not turn on any electronic equipment

Until the electricity has been safely restored.

...Be sure to check all electronic equipment for water

Damage.

If you are uncertain...Throw the item away. It is better

To be safe than to risk electrocution.

...Do not touch the gas until it has been determined that it

Is safe to turn it back on.

...Tips for everyone to follow...

...If there has been structural damage to your home...Or to

Trees in your yard...Be very careful. Ask for assistance

From fire and rescue officials before you risk getting

Injured from fallen debris.

...Get bottled water. It is quite possible that local water

Supplies May be contaminated.

...If power remains disrupted use flashlights. Candles

Left unattended can start fires.

...Be sure to guard against spoiled food. If the power was

Disrupted...Food in the refrigerator May have spoiled.

Freezers will keep food for several days if the doors were

Left closed after the power went off.

...Do not refreeze food once it begins to thaw.

...Beware of the outdoor hazards...

...Watch for loose or dangling power lines. Many lives are

Lost by electrocution.

...Be extra careful when clearing fallen trees and limbs with

A chain saw. Power lines could be entangled.

...Do not be a victim of a chain saw accident. When in

Doubt...Leave the work to the professionals.

...If you have generator...Be sure to turn the master power

Switch in your circuit breaker box off prior to turning

The generator on. Also...Be sure that the generator is

Outdoors and in a well ventalated area.

Take your time and be extra careful. Do not be afraid to ask for

Assistance. If there has been damage to your property...Contact

Your insurance agent...But have patience for there will be many

Others with damage as well.

END HURRICANCE PREPAREDNESS INFO

 

BEAUFORT SCALE CROSS REFERENCE

(MARINERS INTERNATIONAL WIND STRENGTH SCALE)

Beaufort wind scale comparisons:

Force

Knots

MPH

Meters/Sec

Km/Hr

Indications

0

<1

<1

0.0-0.2

<1

Calm

1

1-3

1-3

.3-1.5

1-5

Light Airs

2

4-6

4-7

1.6-3.3

6-11

Light Breeze

3

7-10

8-12

3.4-5.4

12-19

Gentle Breeze

4

11-16

13-18

5.5-7.9

20-28

Moderate Breeze

5

17-21

19-24

8.0-10.7

29-38

Fresh Breeze

6

22-27

25-31

10.8-13.8

39-49

Strong Breeze

7

28-33

32-38

13.9-17.1

50-61

Near Gale

8

34-40

39-46

17.2-20.7

62-74

Gale

9

41-47

47-54

20.8-24.4

75-88

Strong Gale

10

48-55

55.63

24.5-28.4

89-102

Storm

11

56-63

54-72

28.5-32.6

103-117

Violent Storm

12

64+

73+

32.7+

118+

Hurricane

Info from the World Meteorological Organization, 1964.

 


SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE

Hurricane Classification

Strength

Wind Speed
(Kts)

Wind Speed
(MPH)

Pressure
(Millibars)

Pressure
(Mercury)

Category 1

65- 82 kts

74- 95 mph

>980 mb

28.94 "Hg

Category 2

83- 95 kts

96-110 mph

965-979 mb

28.50-28.91 "Hg

Category 3

96-113 kts

111-130 mph

945-964 mb

27.91-28.47 "Hg

Category 4

114-135 kts

131-155 mph

920-944 mb

27.17-27.88 "Hg

Category 5

>135 kts

>155 mph

919 mb

27.16 "Hg

Tropical Cyclone Classification

Tropical Depression

20-34kts

Tropical Storm

35-64kts

Hurricane

65+kts or 74+mph

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