Q.  When does the net begin operations?

A.  The Hurricane Watch Net activates for all hurricanes that are a threat to land in the Atlantic and as needed in the Eastern Pacific.  Normally the net will go into full activation when a storm is 300 miles from land and moving towards that land.  On occasion, we may activate the net for tropical storms or hurricanes before they reach the 300 mile zone if requested by the National Hurricane Center.

Q.  What information does the net collect for the National Hurricane Center?

A.  As a storm approaches land, and at landfall, the net collects observations of wind speed, direction, wind gusts, barometric pressure, flooding from storm surge and any other information that might assist the forecasters of the National Hurricane Center get a better picture of the storm.

Q. With all the new and modern equipment that the weather service has such as Doppler radar, are these reports still important?

A.  Yes!!!  The National Weather Service has improved its data collection ability greatly with the equipment mentioned, but there is still no better equipment than human eye on the ground that can give an accurate report of conditions.

Q.  How do I determine what the wind speed is?

A.  The National Hurricane Center prefers measured data.  Relatively inexpensive amateur weather stations are available from a number of sources.  We will accept estimated condition reports if that is all that is available but the Hurricane Center seldom uses this data in their advisories.  As a guide, however, we have information available to help judge wind speed.  Please click here for more information.

Q.  I have listened to the net for years but never checked in.  Should I check in to let you know that I am available to assist?

A.  Before checking into the net, listen long enough to determine the nature and immediacy of what is happening.  If the hurricane is still hours from landfall, the net control will provide you a window of opportunity to check in.

DO NOT check into the net if the hurricane is within an hour of landfall and you are not in the affected area or can not relay or supply information of immediate value to the net or Hurricane Center.

Q.  How can I become a net control station?

A.  Please go to our membership information page by clicking here.

Q. Do you only accept stations in hurricane areas for membership?

A.  No. We have an urgent need for stations in the Mid-West and West Coast that can control the net as propagation shifts west.  We do have a need for bilingual net control operators who are fluent in Spanish, Creole, as well as English.

Q. My class of amateur license will not allow me to work on the 20 meter band.  Is there anyway that I can help?

A.  Sure.  The National Hurricane Center monitors the APRS packet reporting system.  Submit your information via APRS or better yet connect a weather station to your packet set up for automatic reporting.

Q.  I'm not a ham radio operator.  Is there any way I can participate?

A.  Yes.  The National Hurricane Center collects observations from people in coastal areas who have home weather stations.  Send an e-mail to wx4nhc@wx4nhc.org and request information about this program or use their on-line submission form by clicking here.