For those of you who are
not on the East Coast and are not affected by Sandy, here's a nice view from the
GOES Satellite of
today's approaching
storm. Keep in mind this is only usable during the daylight
hours.
Update
from Bergen County - today most businesses are closed, towns closed,
except for emergency personnel and first responders - yes, even my business shut
down - you can't build cell sites in the wind-driven rain - HIHI! We have
one Shelter that just opened at Community College 3 miles from here - they are
on the air.
Localized flooding is occurring from storm
surge down along the shore line from Sandy Hook, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ. Also
being hard hit with storm surge is the battery park area of NY and all of lower
New York City.
Winds here are sustained at 35 to
40 MPH right now, with higher gusts to 70 MPH. Rain is occurring in some areas,
not all. Trees are being taken down by sustaining winds and high gusts.
Power outages are sporadic at this time. There are bands of light to heavy rain
entering into our area now.
Locally - Shelters are open throughout the
Bergen County, Passaic County, Morris County areas, as well as other areas and
are manned with Amateur Radio Operators. A call-out for equipment
and operators is slow to bring much needed help. **Note for Mike
Corey, we could have used a few GO Boxes from Headquarters here in the
NNJ area. We have folks who would have been willing to drive to
Newington to secure items needed.
Coordination between NNJ and SNJ -
both SM's and SEC's is excellent, as always. Both have been working together to
support shelter operations and to help with Served Agency requests -
mainly from Red Cross for operators.
Right now we are monitoring communications
from NWS - UPTON LI, NY, as well as NWS - MT Holly, NJ - Southern NJ.
Also the radio room is alive with scanners and VHF/UHF radios covering
communications from all over the NNJ Section. HF radio is also being used by
many Shelters and EOC's. So we are ON THE AIR and
ready!
Thank you all for your prayers and
well-wishes.
73,
Joyce KA2ANF