Amateur radio volunteers provide and maintain crucial communication links when hurricanes strike (Texas)

Volunteer amateur radio operators have played a crucial role in communications in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and now Hurricane Milton.

Josh Johnston is director of emergency management with the National Association for Amateur Radio. He said that amateur radio is robust. “In most cases amateur radio still operates and still functions,” he said.

Volunteers for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) report storm and road conditions and can relay information about the welfare of people caught in natural disasters.

Johnston is proud of what amateur operators can do. “Honestly, the activity that’s gone on in the last two weeks has just exemplified what we’ve been able and capable to do for many, many years now.”

Amateur radio operators who volunteer their time in these types of emergencies can be a crucial link not only for relief organizations such as FEMA and the Red Cross, but can pass along other types of information to the public before, during and after major disasters.

Read more – Texas Public Radio: https://bit.ly/4dRSsIM