SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX049
ARLX049 Hurricane Luis 1
 
ZCZC AX19
QST de W1AW  
Special Bulletin 49  ARLX049
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  September 5, 1995
To all radio amateurs 
 
SB SPCL ARL ARLX049
ARLX049 Hurricane Luis 1
 
As of 1800Z or 2:00 PM EDT/AST this afternoon, the center of
Hurricane Luis is located at 18.0 degrees North latitude, 62.3
degrees West longitude, or 50 miles east of Saint-Martin.  Maximum
sustained winds are reduced to 130 mph.  Consequently, Luis is
reduced to a Category Three (on the Saffir/Simpson Scale) storm,
traveling WNW at 9 mph.  A 9 to 12 foot storm surge can be expected.
Damage in its path is expected to be extensive:  Large trees blown
down; some structural damage to small buildings; mobile homes
destroyed; serious coastal flooding; many small structures near
coast destroyed by wind and waves; almost all small boats torn from
moorings.
 
Reports gleaned from on-the-air monitoring at ARRL HQ at 1800-1830Z
on 14.268 MHz indicate that Dominica suffered damage along its North
coast:  some roads damaged and trees down; minor damage to
residences; power is out.  Stations in St. Maarten report extensive
damage along the waterfront at Simson Bay.  No reports of deaths or
injuries have been received by the net.
 
In anticipation of a possible swell of health and welfare traffic,
National Traffic System (NTS) Eastern Area Digital Coordinator Nick
Zorn, N4SS, reports that the NTS Digital Net is preparing to handle
Luis-related messages:  the Eastern Area Digital staff will be
recommending that messages addressed to affected areas be routed via
an Eastern Area Digital network representative for handling when
stations in the affected areas are prepared to receive and process
them.  The Eastern Area mailbox operators to be involved are: N2JAW,
W1FYR, KQ4ET, WX4J.
 
The Hurricane Watch Net is active on or near 14.325 MHz, and is
currently soliciting reports from stations in the affected areas.
 
Amateurs are advised to monitor storm-related net frequencies, but
to not transmit unless directed to do so by net control stations.
NNNN
/EX