WELLS, NEVADA: About 0630 this morning a 6.3 earthquake was centered in Wells, Nevada. The area is about ten miles from Elko. Reports of the earthquake have been made in Utah and as far south as southern California.
Official reports are that NHP (Nevada Highway Patrol) has been called to help Elko police with damage in Wells.
Unofficial reports are that eight buildings are damaged and down. Also, there have been at least six after-shocks felt in Wells.
By DEEPTI HAJELA, Associated Press Writer
Fri Jan 4, 6:11 AM ET
NEW YORK - Geeta Citygirl just figured something was wrong with her phone when she realized the greetings she was sending as the ball dropped New Year's Eve weren't getting through. In Los Angeles, a half-dozen New Year's text messages bounced back to Reggie Cameron on Wednesday, more than 24 hours after he thought he sent them out.
In fact, so many people tried to send text messages on New Year's Eve that networks got jam-packed and many of the missives arrived hours later — or not at all.
The rest of this article is here.
My Analysis: In Carson City Nevada about two years ago, the cell and landline phones were jampacked because of a problem in Las Vegas area. There were so many people trying to call the state offices in Carson City that the phone system went down.
I knew of the problem because my cell phone was down. I went to the Cingular offices (before they became AT$T)and complained. They called their tech guys. They couldn't tell that the node was down. It was at this time that I found out that they had one cell phone node feeding the entire Carson City area (50,000 people).
So even though cell phones have been touted as a great emergency communications device, DO NOT believe the hype. They are the first network that goes down.
It would be better to be prepared with an FRS radio for those without an amateur radio license. AND, it would be the best to have an amateur radio license with equipment.
High Wind Advisory
256 PM PST Wed Jan 2 2008
...High Wind WARNING in effect from 4 am to 6 PM PST Friday...
The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a High Wind
WARNING...which is in effect from 4 am to 6 PM PST Friday. The
high wind watch is no longer in effect.
[WARNINGS are more serious and immediate than WATCHES. df]
South to southwest winds will increase across western Nevada
Thursday with breezy conditions lasting into Thursday night. Winds
will further increase Friday morning and strengthen throughout
the day as a strong cold front approaches the area. Widespread
wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph will occur.
Damaging gusts to 80 mph are possible in the foothills and wind
prone areas. The strongest and most erratic winds will affect the
area Friday afternoon as the cold front passes.
Damage to trees...power lines and property is likely with winds
of this magnitude. Take steps to secure loose items outdoors.
Areas of blowing dust will also cause reduced visibilities.
Driving will be dangerous for high profile vehicles...especially
along highways 50...95 and 395. Use extra caution and remain alert
for sudden gusts or cross winds.
Expires:031300 gmt
VTEC:/O.UPG.KREV.HW.A.0001.080104T1200Z-080105T0200Z/
VTEC:/O.NEW.KREV.HW.W.0001.080104T1200Z-080105T0200Z/
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
k7vc@arrl.org
Public Information Statement
1100 am PST sun Dec 30 2007
A snowstorm of potentially historic proportions will affect the
Sierra Nevada during the upcoming weekend. Snowfall totals with this
snowstorm could rival snowfall amounts that were seen in some of the
most devastating snowstorms of the past 50 years.
Research done on heavy snowfall in the Sierra has identified the
most significant snowstorms to affect the range. Listed below are
the top fifteen snowstorms that deposited the largest snowfall
amounts on the entire Sierra during the past half century. Snowfall
with this weekend's snowstorm could equal amounts seen among the top
five all-time Sierra snowstorms.
...................................................................
Greatest Sierra snowstorms (1949-50 through 2004-2005) with storm
total snowfall amounts (in.) At various locations
Can - canyon dam (plumas county)
boc - Boca (nevada county)
css - central Sierra snow lab (nevada-Placer county)
tah - Tahoe City (placer county)
grg - Grant Grove (tulare county)
can boc css tah grg
1. Jan. 10-17, 1952 108.0 68.0 141.0 149.0 68.0
2. Mar. 28-Apr. 1, 1982 26.0 47.0 125.5 59.0 63.0
3. Mar. 29-Apr. 4, 1958 46.5 48.0 mm 98.5 69.0
4. Dec. 28, 1992-Jan. 2, 1993 74.0 47.0 76.6 57.5 mm
5. Mar. 21-24, 1995 32.0 26.0 100.6 74.0 59.0
6. Mar. 10-14, 1967 60.0 59.0 74.8 92.0 38.5
7. Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 1975 62.0 38.0 65.0 42.0 25.0
8. Dec. 27-31, 1964 46.0 42.0 87.2 77.0 26.0
9. Feb. 23-26, 1969 35.0 28.0 74.0 37.0 63.0
10. Jan. 27-30, 1981 24.0 24.0 72.0 40.0 48.0
11. Dec. 21-23, 1996 23.0 65.0 53.6 73.0 25.0
12. Dec. 29, 2004-Jan. 2, 2005 48.0 49.5 89.7 64.0 mm
13. Feb. 9-12, 1959 43.0 31.0 mm 43.0 64.0
14. Feb. 16-18, 1990 30.0 49.0 73.0 46.0 24.0
15. Jan. 20-23, 1997 34.0 18.0 73.4 44.0 35.0
Mm - missing data
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
k7vc@arrl.org
Here is a good news story coming out of Oregon on the emergencies there.
They are doing a great job.
73s
ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) is still providing communications
to the coast, with 60+ volunteers working at the coast and many more at
points in between. The District One emergency radio network was activated at 8
AM Monday morning and is still in operation today. District One ARES serves
the following counties: Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook
and Washington. We are working closely with the American Red Cross as well
as the major hospitals Heartnet radio network and district-wide emergency
managers, including the Oregon Operation of Emergency Management in
Salem.
Columbia County has put out a request for more licensed ham operators to
help. Anyone available should report to their county ARES organization
linked through http://www.oregonaresd1.org/main.html.
If media would like to speak with someone regarding the Amateur Radio
Emergency Service I'd be happy to put you in touch with our District One Emergency
Coordinator, David Kidd.
Thanks Lars,
Steve Sanders
PIC- Oregon Section ARRL
PIO - District One ARES
503-320-4100
At about 6 am this morning, the 9-1-1 lines that would normally be answered in Seaside and Astoria for callers in Clatsop County were diverted by the phone company to Columbia 9-1-1 Communications Center, on a temporary emergency basis.
The emergency phone calls are being taken by Columbia 9-1-1 staff who are relaying the information via Columbia County and Clatsop County Amateur Radio Emergency Services Volunteers to the police fire and emergency medical dispatchers in Clatsop County, who then are activating Clatsop County first responders.
Columbia 9-1-1 has doubled up on staff to handle the extra call load. Both counties are experiencing severe flooding causing numerous high water situations, road closures, flooding and evacuations.
Columbia County emergency operations center, Clatskanie, Vernonia, St. Helens, Columbia City, Rainier, Scappoose city emergency operations centers are activated.
