VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Ernesto Impacts on Bermuda Closed on Saturday 8/17/24 at 12 PM EDT/1600 UTC
Hello to all…
The VoIP Hurricane Net Activation for Hurricane Ernesto and impacts on Bermuda was closed on Saturday 8/17/24 at 12 PM EDT/1600 UTC. Bermuda had about 73% of the country or about 26,000 people without power. Coastal storm surge and wave action battered coastal areas. Sustained hurricane force conditions of 74.4 Knots (86 MPH) with a wind gust to 94.7 knots or 109 MPH was recorded at the National Museum of Bermuda on the Northwest part of the island. Hurricane force wind gusts were also recorded at the National Bermuda Library of 86 MPH with hurricane force wind gusts at St. David’s Island of 75 MPH and Spanishport Bermuda of 74 MPH. These weather station reports were relayed by our net along with social media reports of trees down and some structural damage. The tropical storm conditions with gusts to hurricane force lasted an extended period of time as Ernesto slowed after making landfall on Bermuda. A total of 21 reports were sent in via our net. Special thanks to K2DCD-Dennis, KC5FM-Lloyd, WX9VOR-Debby and AE4WX-Mark for monitoring the network for this hurricane and helping with overall net operations. Approximately 40 volunteer hours of service were logged by the team. A list of reports gathered from this net can be seen via the VoIP Hurricane Net Report viewer at the following link:
https://www.voipwx.net/qilan/nhcwx/list_VOIP_records1?auth=OK
Ernesto is expected to make a close pass to Southeast Newfoundland Canada while undergoing post tropical transition. At this time, we will watch Ernesto’s progress but based on his track and intensity, it appears a VoIP Hurricane Net activation for Southeast Newfoundland Canada will not be necessary but we will coordinate with the Canadian Hurricane Centre in addition to the WX4NHC Amateur Radio team on support. If no support is required, this will be the last message concerning Ernesto.
Elsewhere in the tropics, no tropical cyclone formation is expected over the next 7 days but as we get to late this week into next week, there could be tropical waves to monitor and we will be drawing closer to the mid-September peak of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, so now is the time to be prepared. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!
73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net