Welcome to the Washington County ARES  website (ARES Unit 163MN01).... Face - to -face ARES activities are in suspension until further notice due to Covid-19....July is the worst month for lightning strikes. Lightning can strike up to 30 miles away from a storm and can travel through pipes, wires or the ground or ground structures for a surprising distance. Seek shelter in the event of a lightning storm.....We are in the TORNADO season; Have your personal home plan ready. The three WORST MONTHS for tornadoes in Minnesota are  May (15%), June (37%) and July (25%) according to MN DNR (More Info under News tab).....Check the two ARES Digital Nets in Minnesota and participate; Info under the Events tab gives details.....60 Meter Interoperability exercises scheduled = see events tab and participate with us!!....The 147.180 Repeater is running at the Newport site (PL 74.4) and Forest Lake site(PL 100); we use this repeater for drills and activations. This covers the entire county and is in our WashCoARES Emergency Communications Plan... Support our Amateur Radio Clubs through your participation.