Amateur Radio Offers Fail-Safe Communication
Tornadoes raked central and northeastern Arkansas in February, killing 14 people and damaging landlines, cell towers and state emergency communication equipment. Emergency crews could still get information to residents and hospital staff at tornado-hit Stone County Medical Center because amateur radio operators could communicate.
When Hurricane Gustav headed toward Washington County in August, amateur radio operators watched for tornadoes and reported weather events to the National Weather Service. The volunteers also set up a network in case they were needed to assist local shelters.