To begin, Nets are useful during emergencies such as, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, airplane crashes, missing person cases, other disasters and even in weather watches like the one we had in several years ago. Most of Georgia was hit by what most news media referred to as the "Storm of the Century". Snow accumulations in some areas were over 10 to 20 inches. Amounts of accumulations across Georgia varied in parts. This storm caused hazardous road and highway conditions, power outages, dangerous wind chills, damage to structures, up-rooted trees, phone lines were down and caused many to be trapped or stranded. During that storm the Toccoa Amateur Radio Society 2 Meter Net brought up weather Watch Net Activated by KD4MNT, Mike Barningham at 10:10 am till 2:08 pm and then reactivated by Brian Addison, AC4YZ at 6:30 pm till 12:00 am. The Weather Watch Net was up for a total of 9 hours and 20 minutes. During net operation, Net Controls gathered and passed weather reports and statements. All reports and statements were logged and passed to the EMA and the National Weather Service. Included in the reports were road/highway conditions, accumulation of snow, temp, wind speeds, power outages and etc. Toccoa was not badly hit as some areas, although it too experienced power outages, hazardous road/highway and accumulation of snow from 2 ½ to 3 inches. This was the first time our net has been activated and the club was pleased with the way it was ran. It was a good learning experience and great practice. The club gave thanks to the Stephen County A.R.E.S. group, the EMA and other Amateurs that worked real hard in this time of distress. Everyone’s participation is very much appreciated. By working together and helping each other and performing in a well-organized matter a lot was accomplished. This is what Amateur Radio is all about. It takes everyone working together to get things done. Amateur Radio is often the first contact with the outside world available to an effected area. It is important to get involved with your local net and A.R.E.S. group. What can learn from this dangerous winter storms? To be a little bit better prepared next time! To start right a way in getting emergency backup power, such as batteries for our rigs, indoor antennas, flashlights with good batteries, keeping batteries charged, candles and getting enough food from the store to last for a while before the weather hits. By being more prepared next time, we won’t have as many problems and feel more comfortable with facing the weather in the future. We hope this information will be helpful for everyone in this area.

Written by, Brian Addison-AC4YZ and revised by Bob Arbogast-KE4CXJ