hur-katrina

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Hurricane Katrina

Emergency Communications before and after Katrina

When All else fails, Ham Radio was there...

Public Service Story

Published on ARRL Website December 1st, 2005

On Friday 16:00 Before Katrina hit, I received a call from David Gore-W5DSG (DEC) to be deployed to the TA Truckstop in Tallulah, Louisiana for an information operation check point for Red Cross and EOC (W5EA) . ARES Operators present were Larry-N5ASA (EC Franklin Parish) & Glenn-KD5SII (AEC). Red Cross Personnel were Ray Thorton & Bobby Choate.

We set up our communication equipment, Icom IC-706mk2g, 35amp PS, antenna and laptop. ARES and information Pamphlets were handed out also. We had several Hams that passed through who were evacuating from the soon to be devastated areas also--some donated their time with operations at the EOC (W5EA) when they arrived at Monroe Civic Center.

We gave evacuees information and maps to Red Cross Shelters, and handled vital information to and from EOC (W5EA) in Ouachita Parish.

We had a laptop with wireless internet access that we used to assist evacuees with information and sent emails to family members to various parts of the country for them. Motel/Hotels were booked for hundreds of miles, people were heading to many other states to either stay with family members or reserve hotels,motels & camp grounds.

We had operated very long hours without much sleep, but not nearly as bad as some of the evacuees we met, there were many horror stories,many came in with tears and so glad to see us and talk to someone with any hope to the outside world. Many of them had been in backed-up in traffic for 2 days running out of gas and money, and people helping them along the way, only to find out they still had a long way to go for shelter.

One of the high points of the operation was to meet a famous Chef from New Orleans French quarter, Chef Paul Prudhomme! It was a pleasure to meet him and get a few pictures with him. I only wished it were under different circumstances. He did not know if his restaurant was going to make it thru the Hurricane or not. Fortunately the French Quarter was spared.

It was a great, satisfying opportunity to be a help during this disaster and to be of assistance to the evacuees. ARES and the Red Cross came together and operations went smoothly under the circumstances, and it was a pleasure to work with those that were evolved with the information center. Many thanks to the TA Truckstop that provided us with a place to set up and a couple of free meals to boot.

73 Larry / N5ASA EC Franklin Parish -- N5ASA