Welcome to the Washington County ARES  website (ARES Unit 163MN01).... Minnesota is in the TORNADO season. Stay prepared with a weather radio, awareness, and interior shelter; most tornadoes occur in (order of highest frequency) June, July, May & August..... Face - to -face ARES activities are in suspension until further notice due to Covid-19......The 147.180 Repeater is running at the Newport site (PL 74.4) and Forest Lake site(PL 100). This covers the entire county and is in our WashCoARES Emergency Communications Plan.... Support our Amateur Radio Clubs through your participation.