Top Five posts of 2021 #hamradio #ARRL #Skywarn

 In descending order, they are:

 

 

 

Rest in Peace, Steve, KE5BPL

What can you learn from the movie #13Minutes? #Skywarn #NatlPrep

 The Holidays were good watching some television and movies.  One, with mixed reviews, was 13 Minutes. 

The title matches the fact that the average lead time for a tornado warning is 13 minutes.  That fact keeps improving thanks to better technology on the front end and every citizen engaged with the Whole Community.

First, the movie is fiction but just like Twister,  it can't be all bad.  The movie was filmed in Oklahoma.

Second, it has a cheesy story line and the technical aspects of the film are lacking in some areas but ...

You can learn from the movie.

    1. There were plenty of opportunities to realize the day was going to be a bad day.  The emergency manager's briefing was one.  The beauty shop scene when the customer tells the stylist "tor watch" after getting a text message.

    2.  Things went right, seemingly by accident.  People knew to take shelter.  Unfortunately, some took shelter in inappropriate places.

Every year, the National Weather Service, Federal, State, and local emergency management programs inform the public of weather hazards.  Even Skywarn folks are involved in that effort.

Why?  Because new people arrive in the community.  People move because of jobs, marriage, lifestyle changes, etc.  

Language difficulty was made very apparent in the movie.  How will YOU tell someone from Sweden that it's going to be a bad day?  Talar du Svenska? Do you know American Sign Language?

Have a plan messaging was repeated during the movie.  Plan, prepare, practice ... and don't wait for the warning to start.

Messaging was very noticeable.  However, the messages must be repeated because someone every day stressors cause the phone to turn off, or the conversation to overcome the text message, etc.

Everyone has stressors.  What will we eat for lunch is minor compared to "The Beast".  Life happens, even to NWS employees, media folks, emergency managers, and Skywarn volunteers.  Take care of yourself before you can take care of others.

The movie showed the competing messages very often and because the warning is sent over many channels often, it still gets lost in the noise.  

There are some that think the movie was a waste of time.  For information and the learn from the mistakes of others lessons, it's worth your time.  

Merry #Christmas to my #hamradio #teamJesus #Skywarn friends

 May your family have peace and joy this season!  Between Covid and Weather, sometimes it's hard to find joy during this season.

May you have it, the bands always open, fair weather and following seas, and more during Christmas.

From our friends at @OKDOT ... keep an ear out for travelers on your repeaters #hamradio #KnowBeforeYouGo

 Also, go to Repeaterbook.com and update your local repeaters.

Holiday Traffic Advisory 12-17-21

***ODOT and OTA offices will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23, and Friday Dec. 24, in observance of the Christmas holiday and closed again Friday, Dec. 31, for New Year's Day. ***

The following construction projects will impact those choosing to travel on interstates and major highways from Wednesday, Dec. 22, to Sunday, Jan. 2. For daily traffic advisories visit www.odot.org and follow @OKDOT on Twitter and Facebook. For turnpike information, contact the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority at 405-425-3600 or visit www.pikepass.com and follow @OKTurnpike on Twitter and Facebook.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

I-44/Turner Turnpike narrowed near Sapulpa through 2021

I-44/Turner Turnpike is narrowed to two lanes in each direction between SH-364/Creek Turnpike (mm 218) near Sapulpa and 49th W. Ave. (mm 222A) in Tulsa through 2021 for ongoing reconstruction and widening.

John Kilpatrick Turnpike lanes narrow at US-77/Broadway Extension

The eastbound John Kilpatrick Turnpike off-ramp to southbound US-77/Broadway Extension is narrowed through winter 2022 for adjacent ramp reconstruction.

Oklahoma Transportation

Statewide:

I-35 narrowed to one lane near Braman, Kay Co.

Northbound and southbound I-35 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between W. Braman Rd. (mm 231) and US-177 (mm 221) in Braman in Kay County for bridge reconstruction.

I-35 narrowed to one lane near Wayne, McClain Co.

***Expect lengthy delays, use alternate route***

I-35 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at SH-59 (mm 86) near Wayne for pavement rehabilitation. Drivers can expect lengthy delays and traffic backups between Purcell and Paoli and are strongly encouraged to use an alternate route, such as US-81 or US-69/75.

I-35 narrowed to one lane near Pauls Valley, Garvin Co.

***Expect lengthy delays, use alternate route***

I-35 is narrowed to one lane in each direction for three miles north of SH-19 in Pauls Valley (mm 72) for pavement rehabilitation. Drivers can expect lengthy delays and traffic backups between Purcell and Pauls Valley and are strongly encouraged to use an alternate route, such as US-81 or US-69/75.

I-40 narrowed to one lane near Sallisaw, Sequoyah Co.

I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at US-64 (mm 311) in Sallisaw as part of an interchange improvement project.

I-40 narrowed to one lane in Vian, Sequoyah Co.

I-40 is intermittently narrowed to one lane in each direction at SH-82 (mm 297) in Vian for a bridge reconstruction project.

I-40 narrowed to one lane in Checotah, McIntosh Co.

I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at US-69B (mm 265) in Checotah for bridge reconstruction.

I-40 narrowed to one lane in Okemah, Okfuskee Co.

I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between Clearview Rd. (mm 227) and US-62 West/SH-27 (mm 221) in Okemah for pavement reconstruction.

I-40 intermittently narrowed to one lane near Foss, Washita Co. 

I-40 is intermittently narrowed to one lane in each direction between SH-44 (mm 53) in Foss and Haggard Rd. (mm 59) for pavement rehabilitation.

I-40 narrowed to one lane near SH-152 in Sayre, Beckham Co.

I-40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction south of SH-152 (mm 23) in Sayre for bridge rehabilitation.

I-40B narrowed to one lane at Washita River in Clinton, Custer Co.

I-40B is narrowed to one lane in each direction at the Washita River east of US-183 in Clinton for bridge rehabilitation.

US-69 narrowed to one lane near Eufaula, McIntosh Co.

US-69 is narrowed to one lane in each direction near Eufaula for reconstruction.

US-69 narrowed to one lane in McAlester, Pittsburg Co.

US-69 is narrowed to one lane south of US-270 between Comanche Ave. and S. 14th St. in McAlester for reconstruction.

US-69/US-75 narrowed near Durant, Bryan Co.

US-69/US-75 is narrowed to two lanes in each direction south of US-70 near Durant for reconstruction.

US-62/SH-9 narrowed in Chickasha, Grady Co.

US-62/SH-9 is narrowed to one lane in each direction just east of I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike in Chickasha for bridge reconstruction.

US-62 reduced speeds with width restrictions in Apache, Caddo Co.

Motorists should be aware of US-62 reduced speeds and width restrictions between SH-19 in Apache extending 6.5 miles north for resurfacing.

US-70 intermittently narrowed in Valliant, McCurtain Co.

US-70 is intermittently narrowed with lane shifts from between the Choctaw Co. line and Valliant for resurfacing.

US-77 narrowed to one lane near Newkirk, Kay Co.

US-77 is narrowed to one lane between Newkirk and E. Home Rd. in northern Kay County for pavement construction.

US-77 narrowed to one lane near Pauls Valley, Garvin Co.

US-77 is narrowed to one lane with a temporary traffic signal at the Washita River two miles north of Pauls Valley for bridge rehabilitation.

US-177 narrowed near Dickson, Carter Co.

US-177 is narrowed between SH-199 in Dickson and the Washita River for resurfacing and bridge rehabilitation.

US-270 narrowed to one lane with load restrictions near Haileyville, Pittsburg County

US-270 is narrowed to one lane with traffic signals directing traffic and a load width restriction one mile west of Haileyville for bridge rehabilitation.

US-270 narrowed to one lane south of Seiling, Dewey Co.

US-270 is narrowed in each direction from the SH-51 junction extending southeast 5 miles near Seiling for pavement reconstruction.

US-270/US-183 narrowed near Seiling, Major Co./Woodward Co.

US-270/US-183 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between Seiling and Mutual for widening and construction.

US-377/SH-99 intermittently narrowed with flaggers near Ada, Pontotoc Co.

US-377/SH-99 is intermittently narrowed with flaggers directing traffic about one mile south of SH-3 between Ada and Fittstown for widening and resurfacing.

US-377/SH-99 intermittently narrowed at Lake Texoma, Marshall Co.

US-377/SH-99 is intermittently narrowed at the Willis Bridge at Lake Texoma, south of Madill, for bridge reconstruction.

US-412/US-64/SH-3 narrowed with traffic signal east of Hardesty, Texas Co.

US-412/US-64/SH-3 is narrowed to one lane with a temporary traffic signal at Chiquita Creek between US-83 and Hardesty for bridge rehabilitation.

US-412 narrowed to one lane near Inola, Rogers Co.

US-412 is narrowed to one lane between SH-88 near Inola and the Verdigris River for resurfacing.

SH-3/SH-33 intermittently narrowed east of Watonga, Blaine Co.

SH-3/SH-33 is intermittently narrowed east of the US-270 junction in Watonga extending east 7 miles for pavement reconstruction.

SH-51 narrowed to one lane with traffic signal in Kingfisher Co.

SH-51 is narrowed to one lane with a traffic signal seven miles east of US-81 in Kingfisher County for bridge rehabilitation.

SH-34 narrowed to one lane just north of Woodward, Woodward Co.

SH-34 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at the N. Canadian River just north of Woodward for bridge rehabilitation.

SH-7 narrowed near Sulphur, Murray Co.

SH-7 is narrowed to one lane in each direction about four miles west of US-177 near Sulphur for bridge reconstruction.

SH-20 lanes shifted at Keetonville Hill near Claremore, Rogers Co.

SH-20 is shifted at Keetonville Hill west of Claremore for reconstruction.

SH-20 narrowed to one lane in Claremore, Rogers Co.

SH-20 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between SH-66 and I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike for pavement rehabilitation.

SH-7 narrowed to one lane in near Reagan, Johnston Co.

SH-7 is narrowed to one lane just east of Reagan in Johnston County for a bridge rehabilitation project.

SH-3 narrowed east of Rattan, Pushmataha Co.

SH-3 is narrowed to one lane with temporary traffic signals for a bridge rehabilitation over Frazier Creek, just west of the SH-147 junction near Rattan.

 

Tulsa Metro:

Southbound US-75 (east leg IDL) closed through spring 2022

Southbound US-75 (east leg of the Inner Dispersal Loop) is closed between Archer St. and US-64/SH-51 through spring 2022 for a resurfacing project. Traffic will detour to the other legs of the IDL.

I-44/US-75 interchange

As part of a project to widen I-44 from west of the Arkansas River to Union Ave., and to improve the I-44/US-75 interchange, significant delays can be expected especially during peak travel times. Drivers on both I-44 and US-75 are urged to give their full attention to the road while traveling in these corridors. The project is scheduled for overall completion in early 2023.

Lanes closed at I-44/I-244 junction (western split) through early 2022

Drivers can expect various lane closures on eastbound and westbound I-44 between 49th W. Ave. and the western I-44/I-244 split, and also on westbound I-244 at the I-44 split through early 2022 as part of an ongoing sign and lighting project.

US-412/US-64/SH-51 narrowed near 81st. W. Ave. through January

Drivers can expect various lane closures on east and westbound US-412/US-64/SH-51 between 49th W. Ave and 81st W. Ave. through January as part of an ongoing sign and lighting project.

US-75 narrowed to one lane at Apache St. through February

Drivers can expect the following ramp and lane closures on US-75 at Apache St. through February as part of a bridge rehabilitation project:

• The north and southbound US-75 on-ramps from Apache St. are closed; and
• US-75 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at Apache St.

Reduced speeds on SH-20 near Collinsville through summer 2022

Drivers should be alert to the construction zone and reduced speeds along eastbound and westbound SH-20 from the US-75 junction to Collinsville through summer 2022 as part of the ongoing SH-20 widening project.

 

Oklahoma City Metro:

 

I-235/I-44 interchange work continues through 2021; expect lane shifts and intermittent ramp closures

Motorists should be alert to the following traffic impacts in the I-235/US-77 construction zone at I-44 for ongoing reconstruction and widening that continues through early 2022:

• Motorists should be alert to changing conditions including lane shifts, narrowed lanes and limited merge areas at ramps along northbound and southbound I-235 between N. 50th St. and N. 63rd St. and along eastbound and westbound I-44 between Western Ave. (mm 126) and Kelley Ave. (mm 128B). 
• Drivers should plan ahead and use their Off Broadway alternate routes of I-35, I-40, SH-74/Lake Hefner Parkway and Martin Luther King Ave. to avoid the area.
  
  

I-40 narrowed at Sunnylane Rd. in Del City through 2023

Eastbound and westbound I-40 is narrowed to two lanes between Sunnylane Rd. (mm 155A) and Hudiburg Dr. (mm 156B) for bridge reconstruction at Crutcho Creek, S.E. 15th St. and Sooner Rd. Other traffic impacts include:

• Limited merge areas at the I-40 and Sunnylane Rd. and Sooner Rd. on-ramps within the work zone. Motorists should be extra vigilant and use caution at ramps before merging.
• The westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at S.E. 15th St. (mm 155B) are closed through winter 2021. Drivers may use Sooner Rd. (mm 156A) or Scott St. (mm 154) to access I-40.
• Motorists are advised to locate an alternate route such as I-240 and US-62/N.E. 23rd St. or plan extra travel time and be prepared for delays in the area.

SH-152/Airport Rd. narrowed near I-44 through 2021

SH-152/Airport Rd. is narrowed to one lane in each direction between I-44 and MacArthur Blvd. through 2021 for bridge work as part of a widening, resurfacing and bridge rehabilitation project that continues through summer 2022. Drivers, including Will Rogers World Airport traffic, can expect significant delays and should plan extra travel time.

Please click everyone's seat belts each and every time you drive. 

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