WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE #51
ARES GROUPS AND AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS STAND DOWN AS TROPICAL STORM ERIKA DISSIPATED
On Saturday 8/29/15 at 0930, the National Hurricane Center issued a statement saying that Tropical Storm Erika had lost its low level circulation, and had degenerated in a trough of low pressure. As a result Tropical Storm Erika no longer meet the criteria of being a tropical cyclone, and the National Hurricane Center stopped issuing advisories on Erika. Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) Groups and amateur radio operators across the West Central Florida Section were preparing themselves for possible activation in providing shelter communications. Also the emergency preparedness team at ARRL HQ had pledged their support if it was needed. As a result of the dissipation of Tropical Storm Erika, ARES groups across the West Central Florida Section and amateur radio operators stood down by the end of Saturday 8/29/15.
Darrell Davis KT4WX, WCF Section Manager and Ben Henley KI4IGX, WCF Section Emergency Coordinator, wish to thank all ARES groups and amateur radio operators who had been on standby and were reading themselves to deploy if activated by their served agencies, and to thank the emergency preparedness team at ARRL HQ for their support.
The WCF Section encourages all amateur radio operators to continue routine monitoring of the latest Tropical Storm Outlooks issued by the National Hurricane Center daily, as hurricane season may be diminished but is not over until 11/30/15.