Update: Saturday, August 31, 2019 @ 12:30 AM EDT – 1630 UTC
For many years I’ve said, “By the time you think you have Mother Nature figured out, she changes her mind.” With the continuous updating of the forecast track for Dorian, I would like to believe that millions of prayers are being answered. If this trend of Dorian making a right-hand turn continues, the US “may” get lucky and not have a direct strike. However, let us not forget that a lot can change beyond 36-hours.
The Hurricane Watch Net will be activating this afternoon at 5:00 PM EDT – 2100 UTC as Dorian is still forecast to hit the northern Bahamas sometime Sunday afternoon or evening as a strong Cat 4 (possibly a Cat 5) Hurricane. Once activated, the Net will remain in continuous operation until further notice. Our frequencies of operation will be 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz. Operations on 14.325 MHz will continue as long we have propagation. We will pause operations Sunday morning on 7.268 MHz at 7:30 AM ET to allow the “Waterway Radio and Cruising Club Net – WRCC” (aka, the Waterway Net) to conduct their daily morning Net. Our operations on 7.2 7.268.00 MHz will resume at the conclusion of the Waterway Net, generally around 8:30 AM ET.
NHC Dorian Advisory #29 at 11:00 AM EDT – 1500 UTC, the center was located about 260 miles east-northeast of the northwestern Bahamas and about 415 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida. Maximum sustained winds were 150 mph (Category 4), moving to the west at 8 mph. Minimum central pressure 945 mb or 27.91 in.
It remains unknown as to “IF” Florida will take a direct hit or if Dorian continues to be forecasted to move away from land once past the Bahamas. We will closely monitor the progress and forecast of Dorian and make extended plans once the storm has cleared the Bahamas. For now, it’s just too early to say whether or not if Florida, Georgia, or the Carolina’s will be hit.
As with any net activation, we request observed ground-truth data from those in the affected area (Wind Speed, Wind Gust, Wind Direction, Barometric Pressure – if available, Rainfall, Damage, and Storm Surge). Measured weather data is always appreciated but we do accept estimated.
We are also available to provide backup communications to official agencies such as Emergency Operations Centers, Red Cross officials, and Storm Shelters in the affected area. We will also be interested to collect and report significant damage assessment data back to FEMA officials stationed in the National Hurricane Center.
As always, we are praying and hoping for the best yet preparing for the worst.
Sincerely,
Bobby Graves – KB5HAV
Net Manager
Hurricane Watch Net