5 April 2023 – This morning, the MOVE team headed for Birmingham where the truck is being staged at a RC location in anticipation that MOVE might be needed again in the near term, either in Mississippi or elsewhere in the Midwest due to the above average tornado outbreaks we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks. The Red Cross continues to seek additional DST (Disaster Services Technology) personnel to deploy and help with the current responses.
You Can Help
MOVE is funded by donations like yours. Your support is greatly appreciated. Please consider helping the MOVE Community Outreach program by donating to the cause.
Thank You for Your Support!
4 April 2023 – Mark Torres and John Balsam returned to Moore UMC in Winona to set up MIFI for the RC recovery assistance personnel. With that up and running well, MOVE2 headed back to RC HQ in Flowood after lunch. At HQ, the team off-loaded the assortment of RC equipment that they had picked up at the beginning of the mission.
3 April 2023 – Today, MOVE 2 returned to Winona, MS to set up a cradle point and wireless access point in the Education Building at Moore United Methodist Church. Much like yesterday in Black Hawk, the internet access allowed Red Cross Recovery Care Assistance personnel to receive input from impacted residents and verify the data collected in the field. Once verified, residents become eligible for emergency funds to help them in the recovery process. There was a power outage during the day, so the team utilized mobile hotspots to allow continued internet access. Prior to closing time, one of the Red Cross volunteer’s tablets was running low on battery so the team decided to start MOVE 2’s generator to enable recharging. About 10 minutes after bringing the generator on line, building power was restored! Murphy’s Law is alive and well! After closing up, the MOVE team returned to Greenwood, MS for the evening.
2 April 2023 – The MOVE 2 team dispatched back to the small crossroads community of Black Hawk today. They quickly set up a cradle point and wireless access point outside the small K&M grocery which served as a staging point for water, snacks and clean up supplies distribution. FEMA was there speaking with some clients. The MOVE team supported four Red Cross Recovery Care Assistance personnel who were checking damage data with clients who came by. Our volunteers helped them connect to the WAP and they were able to receive excellent network coverage. Power was not a problem. The team packed up around 4:30 and returned to Greenwood for the evening.
1 April 2023 – Today, MOVE 2 is back in RC HQ helping with more DST services but will be deploying back to Greenwood in the evening.
31 March 2023 – MOVE 2 returned to RC HQ in Flowood today after dropping off two weather radios in Winona and Blackhawk, MS (a hard hit small town southwest of Winona).
30 March 2023 – Jay returned home on Wednesday (yesterday). Big thanks to him! Yesterday and today, the team tested internet services in several places around Winona.
28 March 2023 – After staying overnight in Greenwood, MS, the MOVE 2 team was stationed in Winona, MS where they provided phone charging to clients since the entire town was without power. In a first for MOVE, we provided charging services to our first Electric Vehicle, an electric bike!
27 March 2023 – Today, the team performed DST equipment setup work at RC HQ.
26 March 2023 – The Red Cross has requested the MOVE team for assistance in Mississippi after a devastating tornado struck there Friday night. MOVE 2, crewed by Jay Diepenbrock and Walt Burns travelled from the Atlanta Science Festival STEM event to Alabama where John Balsam and Mark Torres were picked up and Walt returned home. Jay, John and Mark continued on to Flowood, MS, (near Jackson) narrowly avoiding severe storms approaching that evening.
You Can Help
MOVE is funded by donations like yours. Your support is greatly appreciated. Please consider helping the MOVE Community Outreach program by donating to the cause.
Thank You for Your Support!