Tracking Dorian: Hurricane Watch Net Hunkers Down for the Long Haul
As of September 5, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) has been in continuous operation for Dorian since last Saturday at 2100 UTC, and it plans to remain in operation on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz until further notice, HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, said. The storm made landfall on Grand Bahama Island as a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 180 MPH, stalling over the northern Bahamas 
for a day and a half before slowly starting to move away.
"Members of the Hurricane Watch Net have been reading the latest bulletins and updates as well as making calls to the islands for any reports," Graves said on Wednesday. "However, when a storm is stalled over an area beginning with sustained winds of 180 MPH and slowly dropping to 110 MPH, major catastrophic damage is to be expected." The hurricane claimed at least 7 lives in the Bahamas.
"The Hurricane Watch Net will continue to make calls to the Bahamian Islands for survivors and to collect and pass any and all emergency or priority traffic from the area," Graves said on Wednesday.
"We are also available to provide back-up communication to official agencies such as emergency operations centers, the Red Cross, and storm shelters in the affected area," Graves said. "We will also be interested to collect and report significant damage assessment data back to FEMA officials stationed in the National Hurricane Center."
Amateurs are reminded that HWN is an emergency net and you should only call if you have information for the net or can assist with a relay. Everyone is encouraged to listen and provide assistance if needed. Keep the frequency clear for those in the affected are.
– W3GWM George EPA Section Manager