Showing posts with tag: #disasters


AI6YR Ben

Fixed something which has been bothering me for a few years. Every time there's a emergency/disaster, our local amateur radio airwaves go quiet (typically, because local repeaters stop working). So I've taken over the output frequency on the hour (er... more or less on the hour) to provide status updates to anyone who might hear me. Just so people know someone is out there.

(still have phone/Internet around here, so people still can get info... but it's been bugging me for years no one gets on at all to distribute info--not even for practice or to keep everyone fresh).


@ai6yr Good work Ben. It's weird, all those nets, practicing passing "traffic", then when something actually happens...silence.

by Bill VE7WYC ;

@ai6yr my local club makes a point of practicing connecting on the repeater's output frequency periodically. It's often a little tricky, because if people don't have “repeater output - simplex" programmed into their radios, if they just dial it up by VFO it automatically sets it as if it's a repeater, splitting the transmit off to a different frequency.

by Sean Reynolds ;

Tags: #random #disasters #hamradio

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AI6YR Ben

Woohoo! I have an extra week to prep my first class lecture. Totally lost track of the day/week.

LOL department chair:

"..Welcome Back events planned for January 15th and 16th (pending any disruptions due to winds, potential power outages, or fires). ..."

😬


Tags: #disasters

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AI6YR Ben

The Hollywood Reporter

A Lahaina Fire Survivor’s Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering From Tragedy and What to Do First

A former Billboard editor-in-chief (and THR music editor) and her family escaped the inferno that reduced her beloved Maui town to ashes. She offers actionable steps for those in the same position following the blazes raging across Los Angeles.

hollywoodreporter.com/news/loc


@ai6yr yes. Yes. Everything in this.

We had a catastrophic house fire that we escaped in December of 2010. We were incredibly lucky. All of us were unharmed, even our dog. And it wasn't a community catastrophe like the LA fires. "Just" a house fire.

Accepting help was the hardest thing I've ever done. And all these years later, reading this made me tear up.

by LJ ;

Tags: #wildfires #eatonfire #palisadesfire #lahainafire #FireWx #disasters

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AI6YR Ben

CalOES update (Thanks Renee!)

Received a CalOES update (not yet posted on their site, so excerpted below) 1/5

State resources and info (ca.gov/LAfires/)

1st step to get help: register for FEMA
--online: disasterassistance.gov/
--FEMA App: fema.gov/about/news-multimedia
--Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 (daily, 4 a.m.–10 p.m. PST).
Help in 40+ languages. Accessible Relay/ASL/captioned video instructions (youtube.com/watch?v=HhtlyTX49R).

Small business help: sba.gov/funding-programs/disas.
Job loss from fires? edd.ca.gov/unemployment
CA.gov logo over a scenic photo of a California beach

1/5


2/5

Federal assistance (fema.gov/assistance/individual)

WHAT
--Life saving (Rx, formula, med supplies, hygiene, fuel).
--Financial Assistance
--Housing/Rental Assist.
--Funds for Home Repair/Replace
--Legal Services
--Unemploy. Assist.
--Other (interpreters, mobility/hearing aids)

WHERE can I go for help?
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) opening soon. Check caloes.ca.gov/ or ca.gov/LAfires/

by AI6YR Ben ;

Tags: #wildfires #resources #disasters

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Bích-Mây Nguyễn :verified:

"It’s the first time in recorded history that the planet was above a hoped-for limit to warming for an entire year, according to measurements from four of the six teams. Scientists say if Earth stays above the threshold long-term, it will mean increased deaths, destruction, species loss and sea level rise from the extreme weather that accompanies warming."

apnews.com/article/climate-cha


Tags: #publichealth #climate #climatechange #environment #Weather #disasters

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Disaster Info Bot


Tags: #fema #disasters

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Stormchaser Bot

01-12-2025 Santa Monica, CA - Palisade Fire - National Guard Deployed - Governor Visits youtube.com/watch?v=NfYBJzOxPI


Tags: #lsm #disasters #video

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AI6YR Ben

In response to this post

Fire Hazards
• Never store fuel for your generator in the home. Gasoline,
propane, kerosene, and other flammable liquids should be
stored outside of living areas in properly-labeled, non-glass
safety containers. Do not store them near a fuel-burning
appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.
• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool
down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite

6/6

(Original post is here: cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5123_Safe)


@ai6yr This isn't often mentioned. Glad you did. A guy near us refueled his hot generator. Gasoline was stored outside but next to his foundation near where the generator was. Refueled. Ignited the house, burning it down. Killed him, his wife and their dog. Scared me forever.

by coucou ;

Tags: #generator #safety #disasters #psps #poweroutage

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AI6YR Ben

In response to this post

Electrical Hazards

Generators pose a risk of shock and electrocution, especially
if they are operated in wet conditions. If you must use a
generator when it is wet outside, protect the generator from
moisture to help avoid the shock/electrocution hazard,
but do so without operating the generator indoors or near
openings to any building that can be occupied in order to
help avoid the CO hazard. Operate the generator under an
open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water
cannot reach it or puddle or drain under it. Dry your hands, if
wet, before touching the generator.

4/x


NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging
the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as
“backfeeding.” This is extremely dangerous and presents an
electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by
the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the
built-in household circuit protection devices.

5/x

by AI6YR Ben ;

Tags: #generator #safety #disasters

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AI6YR Ben

In response to this post

Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning.
• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces,
sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening
doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon
monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger
for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
• Follow the instructions that come with your generator.
Locate the unit outdoors and far from doors, windows, and
vents that could allow CO to come indoors and point the
exhaust away from any nearby buildings.
• Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms
with battery back-up in your home..

3/x


Electrical Hazards

Generators pose a risk of shock and electrocution, especially
if they are operated in wet conditions. If you must use a
generator when it is wet outside, protect the generator from
moisture to help avoid the shock/electrocution hazard,
but do so without operating the generator indoors or near
openings to any building that can be occupied in order to
help avoid the CO hazard. Operate the generator under an
open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water
cannot reach it or puddle or drain under it. Dry your hands, if
wet, before touching the generator.

4/x

by AI6YR Ben ;

Tags: #generator #safety #disasters

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Replies: 1

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AI6YR Ben

In response to this post

Carbon Monoxide Hazards

When used in a confined space, generators can produce
high levels of CO within minutes. When you use a portable
generator, remember that you cannot see or smell CO. Even if
you do not smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed
to CO.

Danger labels are required
on all portable generators
manufactured or imported on
or after May 14, 2007.

If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or
weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY. The CO from generators can rapidly kill you.

2/x


Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning.
• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces,
sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening
doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon
monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger
for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
• Follow the instructions that come with your generator.
Locate the unit outdoors and far from doors, windows, and
vents that could allow CO to come indoors and point the
exhaust away from any nearby buildings.
• Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms
with battery back-up in your home..

3/x

by AI6YR Ben ;

@ai6yr

Um, yes. But better advice is DO NOT USE A GENERATOR IN A CONFINED SPACE.

Do not use any fossil-fuel burning equipment indoors/in a confined space, unless it has been designed and certified as safe for that purpose.

I grieve for and sympathise with everyone who has been forced to flee and lose their homes. Nevertheless, DO NOT USE A GENERATOR IN A CONFINED SPACE.

by Hilary ;

@ai6yr and you prob'ly *won't* feel sick.
Don't go to sleep in your car, engine running, if it's really snowing badly: it can bury the tailpipe.

by cognitively accessible math ;

Tags: #safety #generators #disasters

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AI6YR Ben

In response to this post

Portable Generator Hazards

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote
electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The
primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust,
electric shock or electrocution, fire and burns.

Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Most of the incidents associated with portable generators reported to CPSC involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces.

1/x


@ai6yr another important thing is to not use a suicide plug unless you really know what you're doing. And even then it's a dumb idea.

consumerreports.org/home-garde

by Douglas ;

Carbon Monoxide Hazards

When used in a confined space, generators can produce
high levels of CO within minutes. When you use a portable
generator, remember that you cannot see or smell CO. Even if
you do not smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed
to CO.

Danger labels are required
on all portable generators
manufactured or imported on
or after May 14, 2007.

If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or
weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY. The CO from generators can rapidly kill you.

2/x

by AI6YR Ben ;

Portable generator hazards

by Jenny ;

Tags: #safety #generators #disasters

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Replies: 3

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AI6YR Ben

In response to this post

CPSC Safety Alert: Portable Generator Hazards


Portable Generator Hazards

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote
electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The
primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust,
electric shock or electrocution, fire and burns.

Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Most of the incidents associated with portable generators reported to CPSC involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces.

1/x

by AI6YR Ben ;

Tags: #safety #generators #disasters

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AI6YR Ben

Head's up on your next climate disaster: See Jesse Ferrell's post about an arctic outbreak which was showing ("off the charts")

mastodon.world/@weathermatrix/


@ai6yr

Arctic Outbreak sounds like a fun game

by Darwin Woodka ;

@ai6yr yeah, looks like we swap weather with arcric canada for a few days this week.. like what the F

by Anne Ominous ;

Tags: #arcticoutbreak #climate #climatedisasters #disasters

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AI6YR Ben

Commentary from a fellow ham radio operator on the disaster in Los Angeles. KK4INZ (Craig Fugate) -- former FEMA administrator and inventor of the "Waffle House Index"

latimes.com/california/story/2


Tags: #hamradio #disasters #wildfires

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Stormchaser Bot

01-10-2025 Stone Mountain, GA - Icy Road Conditions, Cars Stalled, Snow Covered Area youtube.com/watch?v=DQQ-_CDVoY


Tags: #lsm #disasters #video

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AI6YR Ben

I'm wondering if anyone is in range of Topanga Canyon and knows if the Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness (TCEP) has successfully implemented their FRS radio communications plan. I know their CERT team and ham radio folks have been on the air.


@ai6yr oh wow this is such a good idea, definitely going to pitch this to our CERT leadership. The TCEP FRS guide is a great template: tcep.org/downloads/14Family%20

by Alec Perkins ;

@ai6yr they've got a nice site, includes a table of all the streets and FRS channels for each (which I'd never heard of before now). tcep.org/downloads/03Zones%20a

Also a nice status page with lots of info (last update 30 minutes ago): tcep.org/emergencystatus

by Chris Samuel ;

@ai6yr FRS in a canyon sounds problematic to say the least. But if it works, it works.

by David Croyle ;

Tags: #disasters #topangacanyon #disasterpreparedness

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AI6YR Ben

(post power outage, where we were periodically cooling off the fridge with backup power)

"There's some lunch meat in the fridge."

Me: "I dunno"

"Open it up and smell it"

Me: "Hmm...." (30 seconds later) RETCH, RETCH, BILE, RETCH... runs outside to dump it in the yard can for composting.

(Note: need to run the fridge more than once every 12 hours. The freezer was fine -- ice cream didn't even get soft--but the fridge got too warm).


@ai6yr I use the 1:4 rule. 1 hour of run time every 4 hours of off time. Works well in the South Texas summer heat.

by Hawk1291 ;

@ai6yr Ugh.

Eggs, hard cheeses, yogurt and many condiments are probably fine. I'd be very suspicious of anything else.

by Cecilia Mjausson Huster ;

@ai6yr I use a remote fridge temp sensor with display & alarm 24/7/365. They’re pretty cheap, and it was hugely helpful during the 3+ day outage I had back in November.

I moved critical stuff into a 12v cooler running on a portable power station, and was mostly monitoring the elderly upright freezer downstairs. For that, a few hours per day on a tiny propane generator was enough to keep that in the safe range (some ice crystals noticed post-outage, but it never went above 25°).

by Jolie ;

Tags: #psps #foodsafety #disasters

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CalOES (bot)

Shelters Available for Communities Impacted by Wildfires in Southern California news.caloes.ca.gov/shelters-av


Tags: #caloes #disasters

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AI6YR Ben

PBS: Warming climate created ‘perfect storm’ for catastrophic fires, NASA researcher says

pbs.org/newshour/show/warming-


Tags: #wildfires #climatedisaster #disasters #climate #firestorms

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