ARES
/ RACES
OF CLEVELAND COUNTY, NC
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SKYWARN in Cleveland County A Note from the EC: There has been much confusion over certain topics of Emergency Communication in the past few weeks. I am writing this note to address the issue of SKYWARN in Cleveland County. As Emergency Coordinator, I recognize only one local SKYWARN group in Cleveland County and that is the Official ARES sponsored SKYWARN group, Cleveland County SKYWARN. Cleveland County SKYWARN has been in existence since my appointment as Cleveland County ARES Emergency Coordinator in December 2007. I was informed by a DEC that SKYWARN in Cleveland County fell under the direction of the Emergency Coordinator. So in February of 2008, the National Weather Service was notified by me of an appointment of a SKYWARN AEC. The Cleveland County SKYWARN group serves as a supplement to the outstanding Charlotte Area SKYWARN group which is also an official ARES organization. The amateur radio operators in Cleveland County have always been covered by the Charlotte Area SKYWARN and have reported to this group when there was inclement weather. Charlotte Area SKYWARN has always done an exemplary job of reporting to the National Weather Service, who I might also add, is monitoring this repeater during activations. This is why I also encourage amateurs in this county to report to Charlotte Area SKYWARN on 145.350 when they have reportable criteria. The fact that there are amateurs monitoring (some also employed by the NWS) that repeater means that reports are getting back to the NWS at record time. So with that being said, I as Emergency Coordinator for ARES in Cleveland County, recognize only one local SKYWARN group in Cleveland County which will continue to serve as a supplemental group to Charlotte Area SKYWARN. The Cleveland County SKYWARN has been activated twice in the past month. Both nets were authorized nets and ran by trained SKYWARN spotters. In closing, the Cleveland County SKYWARN will be activated upon the request of Cleveland County Emergency management, request of the NWS or if weather reporting criteria merits it. According to the County Emergency Plan, ARES is the official group that Cleveland County Emergency management looks to for weather reports. Amateurs in this county are encouraged to report to Charlotte Area SKYWARN should they be activated. In weather related conditions/situations, this Emergency Coordinator plans to work only with the Official ARES sponsored Cleveland County SKYWARN (a supplement to Charlotte AREA SKYWARN) and only with the following agencies (Cleveland County Emergency Management, National Weather Service and Cleveland County Red Cross). No other SKYWARN groups shall be recognized by this Emergency Coordinator. To see a list of official SKYWARN groups located in North Carolina please go to http://www.ncarrl.org/ares/skywarn/index.html Update: 8/19/2008 - While the EC notes there are many SKYWARN organizations out there, as anyone licensed or unlicensed can become a SKYWARN Spotter. The EC maintains that members of this organization should participate fully in Cleveland County SKYWARN which is an extension to this ARES organization. Cleveland County SKYWARN is an extension of Charlotte AREA SKYWARN and will either report directly to Charlotte SKYWARN on 145.350 or directly to the National Weather Service. Sincerely, Susan Melvin, K4ZXN |