This June 21, thanks to the collaboration between colleagues from Honduras and Guatemala, loss of life was avoided. The warning came through a message generated by Hector Arnulfo Cueva Fajardo, HR5HAC, which read as follows:
"Tonight in the Western Sector of Honduras there has been a lot of rain, the Rio Jupilingo and Rio Copan are carrying a lot of water towards Chiquimula and Zacapa. Stay tuned."
Immediately responded through Winlink Sigfrido Estuardo Rodas Paz, TG9SRP, the following:
"Good morning Hector, thank you very much for this report that allowed us here in Guatemala to notify the COE (Emergency Operations Center) and manage an EWS (Early Warning System) that allowed us to make a timely preventive evacuation on the banks of the river that takes different names as it passes through Chiquimula, Zacapa and Izabal, at the moment, the big river, is very high but no human or material losses are regretted.
The SAT generated by you has also reached ranchers in the western region of Honduras and the eastern region of Guatemala who have alerted us in conjunction with yours through this medium.
Thank you for future occasions to send me a copy of these URGENT messages to ser@crag.org.gt so that they reach us more quickly and we can channel them in a timely manner to the COE of the SE CONRED for their attention and dissemination with the CODRED, COMRED and COLRED of the regions at risk.
We remain alert for any communication that may be generated.
73."
Actions like this are the ones that allow us to be proud of the importance of amateur radio in the preservation of human lives. And it is we, with our means, expertise and effort that make possible the wonder of communications to save people.
Thanks to these colleagues for their participation.
Carlos Alberto Santamaria CO2JC
IARUR2 EMCOR