Super Typhoon devastates the Central Philippines. Post #240

Today, our prayers are with the residents of the Central Philippine Islands, who are just starting to recover from the devastation of super typhoon "Haiyan."  According to Ramon Anquitan (DU1UGZ) of the Philippine Amateur Radio Association, amateur radio operators in that island nation are providing emergency communications links to the government, as well as handling health and welfare traffic from impacted areas, such as Tacloban City--one of the hardest hit areas southwest of Manila.

Although the Philippine Red Cross says there are at least 1,000 dead from the devastating storm, reports from the Associated Press and Radio Australia put the dead and missing total somewhere near 10,000.

Typhoon "Haiyan" was an especially strong storm system with winds exceeding 175 mph (280.5 km/hr) in some areas.  Storm surge, heavy rain, and flooded rivers have destroyed thousands of homes and damaged hundreds of businesses in the Cebu area.  Government officials have sent  relief workers to the area, with amateur radio operators providing needed communications links.  Ramon Anquitan (DU1GDZ) says emergency traffic is being sent on a HF frequency of 7.065 MHz, on some 2 meter repeaters and simplex, and through surviving parts of the internet.  Ramon is asking fellow amateurs to stay off 7.065 MHz unless you are relaying health and welfare traffic into or out of the Philippines.

If you wish to aid survivors of this catastrophic storm, please contact your chapter of the American Red Cross.  You can make out your checks to "Typhoon Haiyan Relief."

I'm proud of my fellow amateur radio operators in the Philippines, who are maintaining communications links under very difficult conditions.

REFERENCES:

http://www.southgatearc.com.
Radio Australia
"The Honolulu Star-Advertiser", 10 November 2013.
The "Hawaii Tribune-Herald", 09 and 10 November 2013.
Ramon Anquilan (DU1UGZ), Philippine Amateur Radio Association, 09-10 November 2013.

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Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH6JRM).

BK29jx15--along the beautiful Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island.