We had a great time biking into downtown Raleigh and checking out Stormfest 2011 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The museum was packed with people checking out all the storm-related tables ranging from information, science demonstrations, and local weather forecasters from both the National Weather Service and local news stations.
My first stop was the CERT table, where I picked up a schedule showing the upcoming training. I’d heard about CERT a few years ago when I invited the city’s emergency management director to my East CAC meeting. After my mailed application to join CERT came back undeliverable I gave up on the organization. It was only when I met volunteers helping with the tornado recovery in my neighborhood that I pursued them again. I hope to be in the upcoming classes, learning how I can better assist during a disaster.
The kids enjoyed learning a bit about flooding, the weight of air, and seeing the state’s emergency management equipment up close. Frank McLaurin was back with his pCom system but this time he also brought a truck full of emergency tools, including a search camera with a telescoping, remote-control lens. The kids had a great time testing this out.
We also stopped by the Central Carolina Skywarn table, where I hoped to say hello to my friend, Virginia. She had stepped away but the kids enjoyed seeing all the gear that Skywarn uses to observe weather. The pamphlet I picked up about kids and amateur radio was very popular with my kids and I hope it fires their imagination and desire to get their licenses.
We checked out all the activity and then rode back home for lunch. I hope to be back for next year’s event!