# Presentation: 206895

## Weather and Emergency Management 

**Jeff Last****Warning Coordination Meteorologist****NOAA/NWS Green Bay**

## Today’s Agenda

**Welcome and Introductions**
**NOAA/NWS Background**
**EM Weather Briefing**
**StormReady**
**Weather Safety Plans for Large Gatherings and Businesses**
**NOAA Weather Radio for Non-Weather Hazards**
**Wisconsin Severe Weather Climatology**
**Open Discussion**
**Tour**

## NOAA’s National Weather Service

## NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) is an agency in the Federal Government.  The NWS is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in the Department of Commerce.

- Besides the NWS, some other NOAA agencies include:
- NOAA Ocean Service
- NOAA Research
- NOAA Satellites and Information
- NOAA Fisheries

## NWS in Wisconsin

**Minneapolis**

***Green Bay***

**La Crosse**

***MN***

***IA***

- There are 122 NWS offices in the U.S.
- Five offices serve
- the 72 counties
- and nearshore marine areas of
- Wisconsin.
- Each office has a
- Doppler radar, which gives meteorologists a unique view of storms.

**Milwaukee/Sullivan**

**Duluth**

***Green Bay***

## The Office in Green Bay

- Meteorologists are on duty 24 hours a day, monitoring the weather for 22 counties in northeast Wisconsin including the bay and nearshore waters of Lake Michigan.

## Inside the NWS B The Staff

-   Our NWS Office:
-   Meteorologist in Charge				2 Meteorologist Managers
-   9 Forecasters							Data Program Manager
-   4 Forecaster Assistants				3 Electronics Techs
-   1 Admin Assistant						1 Info. Tech Officer

## Inside the NWS B What We Do

**Weather Observations:**
- 	Surface
- 	Upper Air
**Types of Forecasts:**
- 	Public
- 	Aviation
- 	Marine
- 	Severe Weather
- 	Hydrologic
- 	Fire Weather
**Other Activities:**
- 	Public Outreach
- 	Research

## Inside the NWS B Our Tools

- Dozens of computer systems allow meteorologists to find out what the weather is doing now, and forecast the weather for tomorrow:
- - Automated Observing Systems
- - WSR-88D Doppler Radar
- - GOES Satellite
- - Advanced Weather Workstation
- - NOAA Weather Radio

## Automated Weather Observation System

*Observing the weather near the ground*

- Measures:
- 	Temperature
- 	Wind
- 	Humidity
- 	Pressure
- 	Sky Condition
- 	Rainfall
- 	Type of Weather

## Upper Air Observations

*Observing the weather above the ground*

- Measures:
- 	Temperature
- 	Wind
- 	Humidity
- 	Pressure
- All measured above the ground, using a weather balloon and a radiosonde.

## Satellite

*Observing the weather from space*

- Satellites allow forecasters to follow clouds and detect large storms from above.

## Doppler Radar

*Looking inside the clouds*

- The National Weather Service=s Doppler Radar network is the world=s most advanced and powerful.
- The dome protects a
- 28 foot dish antenna which operates 24 hours a day.

## Doppler Radar

**Doppler Radar**

*Looking inside the clouds*

- Besides tower and antenna, the radar system consists of
- several powerful computers.
- Computer workstations allows meteorologists
- to continually scan
- the sky.

## Computers Crunch The Data

- High-speed computers take all of these weather observations and, using mathematical models of the atmosphere, create a forecast out
- to 10 days in the future.

## AWIPS - Bringing the Data Together

*The Advance Weather Interactive Processing System*

- AWIPS allows the forecaster to view all data sets B
- including radar, satellite, and forecast models B
- on one computer system.

**Notes:**
The office has five of these workstations in the Forecast Operations Area.

## Putting Together a Forecast

- NWS forecasters analyze current weather conditions across Wisconsin, the U.S., and North America to gain an understanding of what is happening now.

## Putting Together a Forecast

**Putting Together a Forecast**

- Finally, the AWIPS Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS) is used to “draw” sensible weather, creating a digital weather database.
- IFPS then generates text, graphics, and charts from the “gridded” data, and makes the data available to our customers “on demand.”

## Issuing Life-Saving Warnings

*The National Weather Service’s most important job*

- Small-scale weather analysis, Doppler radar, and weather spotters are the most important resources we use when it=s time to issue severe weather warnings.

## Issuing Life-Saving Warnings

*The National Weather Service’s most important job*

- During severe weather events, NWS personnel continuously monitor Doppler radar, weather observations, and severe weather spotter reports.
- The information assists the forecaster in making a warning decision.

## A Doppler Radar’s View of a Tornado

- All radars can detect where it is raining, and how heavy that rain is.

## The Spotter’s View

## The Spotter’s View

- Radar detects wind and precipitation within the _clouds_, and _estimates_ what might be happening on the ground.

- The severe weather spotter provides information as to what _actually_ is happening on the _ground_:
- 					How big is the hail?
- 					How damaging were the winds?
- 					When did the tornado touchdown?
- 					How much snow fell?

## Clear Communication

- Fast, accurate, and complete information from our storm spotters and law enforcement is a critical part of a successful warning.

## Preparing for Severe Weather:EM Weather Briefing

- The NWS Green Bay web site has a page that can be used by EM’s, dispatchers, and spotters for weather briefings.

**The web site **
**of the ****NWS Green Bay **
**office**
**www.crh.noaa.gov/grb**
**or**
**weather.gov**
**(then click on northeast Wisconsin)**
**                **

## Click on the map to get a detailed forecast and a list of active advisories for yourlocation.

- Click on the map to get a detailed forecast and a list of active advisories for yourlocation.

## Click on Local Area or Outlooks

- Click on **Local Area **or **Outlooks**
- under the **Current Hazards **menu to get the latestsevere weather info.

## The page contains

- severe weather maps and outlooks, watches, warnings, and advisories.

## The page contains

- severe weather maps and outlooks, watches, warnings, and advisories.

## During severe weatherseason, the 

- During severe weatherseason, the
**Hazardous Weather ****Outlook**
- is a good place to start.

## Test Program for EM Notification

- Test will begin in late spring or early summer.
- A page or e-mail will be automatically sent to you when our office schedules an EM conference call.
- NWS Shift Supervisor will discuss latest forecast information and will advise on timing and threats.
- Calls will only occur when a significant severe weather outbreak is possible.
- Teleconferences will likely be conducted in the late morning.
- The conference call will assist you in making plans to prepare your county.

## Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

- For hydrologic forecasts,click on **Rivers & Lakes **or
**AHPS**
- under the
**Current Conditions** menu
- Or go directly to:
- www.crh.noaa.gov/grb/ahps

**Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service**

## Local customers can obtain detailed river forecasts using the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS).

## Hydrographs and forecasts of stage and flow are available for many forecast points on the major rivers of Wisconsin.

- Historic river information, known as “E-19s,” are also available for rivers with known flood effects.

## This information is very useful for emergency officials and water managers.

## A Program for CommunityHazardous Weather Preparedness

## The Recipe for a Successful Storm Warning

- Communications
- Education
- Detection
- Warning Decision
- Response

## Natural Disaster Survey Report1994 Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak

- “Few reports fromsevere weatherspotters or emergencymanagers.”
- “The Goshen UnitedMethodist churchdid not receive NWSTornado Warning.”

## NOAA Service AssessmentHurricane Opal - 1995

- “Many emergencymanagement officialshave no real-timeaccess to NWSwarnings.”

## NOAA Service AssessmentOklahoma-Southern Kansas - 1999

- “Despite large leadtimes, lives were lostbecause correct safetyprecautions were nottaken.”
- This family put themselves in harm’s way...

## We agree this is a problem,but why does it keep happening?

- There are NO uniform standards dealingwith a community’s response to weatherwarnings.
- Each emergency manager must convincehis/her governing body of their program’s importance.
- Often times, other more immediate needsdominate a local budget.

**If we are ever going to stop repeating****our mistakes...**
**We need...**

## StormReady Benefits

- Improve the timeliness and effectivenessof hazardous weather warnings for the public.
- Provide detailed and clear recommendationsby which local emergency managers might establish or improve effective hazardous weather operations.
- Help emergency managers justify costs and purchases related to supporting their hazardous weather-related program.

## StormReady Benefits

- Recognize those local, hazardous weather mitigation programs that have achieved a desired performance level.
- Provide an “image incentive” to counties, cities, and towns that can identify themselves as “**StormReady**.”
- Encourage the enhancement of hazardous weather preparedness programs in locations that surround **StormReady** communities.

## Recognition Process

- Application is required
- State Advisory Board approves recognition
- Re-certification required every three years

## Program Criteria

- Communications
- NWS Warning Reception
- Hydrometeorological Monitoring
- Local Warning Dissemination
- Community Preparedness
- Administrative Items

## Communications

- 24-hr Warning Point
*Receives and disseminates warnings*
*Ability & authority to activate local warning system(s)*
- Emergency Operations Center
*Assume weather-related duties of Warning Point, when staffed*
*Staffed with hazardous weather coordinator*
- Communications Link with NWS
*Relays real-time weather reports *_*to*_* NWS*

## Warning Reception at EOC

- At least four of these
*NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio (NWR)*
*NOAA Weather Wire Service (NWWS)*
*EMWIN*
*Law Enforcement Telecom (TIME system)*
*Amateur radio receiver/scanner*
*Pagers*
*Television (monitoring local stations)*
*Private data provider*
*NAWAS*

## Weather Monitoring at EOC

- Two or more of these (population dependent)
*EMWIN*
*Internet (for NWS weather and radar data)*
*Television (monitoring local stations)*
*Dedicated radar data feed*
*Weather instruments (wind speed, etc.)*
*NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio*

## Warning Dissemination

- Two or more of these (population dependent)
*Cable TV override*
*Subsidized NWR purchases*
*Outdoor warning sirens*
*Two-way radio systems (e.g., “Voice Alert Monitor”)*
- NWR receivers in public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, admin buildings

## Community Preparedness

- Conduct/facilitate annual public safety talks (at least two per year)
- Severe weather spotters and dispatchers trained biennially
*Communities >40,000 host annual training*

## Administrative Items

- Community can be a city or county
- Must have a formal Weather Operations Plan
- Biennial visits to NWS office by emergency manager and/or program leader
- Visits by NWS official to community

## StormReady Communitiesin Wisconsin

## StormReady Communitiesin Northeast Wisconsin

- Lincoln County

- City of Waupaca

- Oneida County

**www.stormready.noaa.gov**

## Weather Watchers at Businesses and Large Gatherings

## Parson’s Manufacturing Plant

## Parson’s Manufacturing Plant

**Parson’s Manufacturing Plant**

## Parson’s Manufacturing Plant

## Designate a Weather Watcher

- Businesses, hospitals, schools, churches, and other places where a large number of people gather should designate a “weather watcher” when severe weather threatens.
- The weather watcher should have a weather radio handy and keep an eye on approaching storms.
- When a warning is issued or a tornado is observed, the weather watcher can alert everyone of the hazard so protective action can be taken.
**The weather watcher designation should be part of a larger weather safety plan.**

## Weather Safety Plan

- Emergency managers should encourage weather safety plans at:
*Schools and colleges*
*Businesses (office buildings, plants, malls, etc.)*
*Hospitals and nursing homes*
*Churches*
*Campgrounds and parks*

## NOAA All Hazards Weather RadioforNon-Weather Emergencies

## Non-Weather Hazards

- Messages disseminated as non-weather emergencies should comply with the following criteria:
*Public safety involved*
*Time critical*
*No other means of rapid delivery **of information available*
*Source of information from official **source*

- NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio (NWR) can be used to disseminate non-weather hazard messages on an infrequent basis.

## Non-Weather Hazards

| ID | Product Type | ID | Product Type |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ADR | Administrative Message | HMW | Hazardous Materials Warning |
| CDW | Civil Danger Warning | LEW | Law Enforcement Warning |
| CEM | Civil Emergency Message | LAE | Local Area Emergency |
| EQW | Earthquake Warning | NUW | Nuclear Power Plant Warning |
| EVI | Evacuation Immediate | RHW | Radiological Hazard Warning |
| FRW | Fire Warning | SPW | Shelter In Place Warning |
|  |  | TOE | Telephone Outage Emergency |

## Distribution

- Besides NWR, messages are also disseminated on the NOAA Weather Wire Service (NWWS).  The NWWS is the official weather news wire, and allows for widest distribution of information to the media.

## Procedures

- Designated official (e.g, EM, comms dispatcher) contacts NWS office and asks for Shift Supervisor
*Request is made to broadcast emergency message*
*Provides name, agency title, telephone number*
- NWS Shift Supervisor calls official to authenticate
- Official reads or faxes message (fax preferred), using general template.  Verbal text should be under 90 seconds in length.

## Example Message Template

**Hazardous Materials Warning**
- The following message is being transmitted at the request of _(other government agency)_.
- _(Insert name of local official or officials with titles and organization names)_ have issued the following emergency bulletin.
- At _(time)_, a _(description of event)_ occurred at _(facility and location)_.
- This _(event description)_ has caused _(may cause)_ a release of _(chemical name)_ which is extremely hazardous to human health if inhaled or comes in contact with human skin.   Vapors from this _(chemical name)_ release may not be visible and can cause serious adverse health effects with very little notice.
- _(Insert official names and titles)_ are closely monitoring the situation.  The Emergency Alert System has been activated to advise people in the immediate area surrounding _(event location)_ to evacuate immediately _(give time frame if not immediate)_.
- The evacuation zone consists of an area approximately _(downwind distance)_ from the _(location of event)_.  This area is bounded by (_street name_) on the west, (_street name_) on the north, (_street name_) on the east and (_street name_) on the south.
- If you are within this area, you should evacuate immediately.  Detailed evacuation instructions have been provided to area broadcast radio and television stations.  Please tune to a local station for additional information.

## Example NWS Product

**WOUS43 KGRB 071700**
**HMWGRB**
**WIC039-072000-**
**	**
**BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED**
**HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WARNING**
**WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GREEN BAY WI**
**RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI**
**1100 AM CDT TUE APR 7 2005**
**THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS BEING TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE BROWN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE DUE TO A TOXIC GAS RELEASE.**
**...SHELTER IN PLACE WARNING NEAR THE ACME CHEMICAL PLANT NEAR AUSTIN STRAUBEL AIRPORT...**
**THE BROWN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE HAS ISSUED A SHELTER IN PLACE WARNING. THERE HAS BEEN A RELEASE OF BUTADIENE FROM THE ACME CHEMICAL PLANT IN ASHWAUBENON. WINDS ARE LIGHT AND VARIABLE. AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE...PEOPLE NEAR AND WITHIN A TWO MILE RADIUS OF THE AIRPORT SHOULD STAY INDOORS. **
**	**
**A SHELTER IN PLACE WARNING MEANS:**
**1. GO INSIDE**
**2. CLOSE ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS**
**3. TURN OFF ALL VENTILATION SYSTEMS**
**4. TUNE TO LOCAL NEWS MEDIA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.**
**$$**

## Non-Weather Hazards

- To ensure uniformity and ease of use, all counties in the NWS Green Bay service area will utilize the same templates.
- Current templates and county instructions will need to be updated with the new non-weather hazards.

## Non-Weather Hazards

- A comprehensive memorandum of agreement between the state and the NWS is being completed now.
- The MOA will deal specifically with the transmission of non-weather warning messages on NWR and NWWS.

## Wisconsin Severe Weather Climatology

## Tornadoes in 2004

## Wisconsin Tornadoes

- Year

- 30-year average: 21

## Wisconsin Tornadoes

## Thunderstorm Winds

## Thunderstorm Winds

**Thunderstorm Winds**

**Hurricane Force**
**(74 mph or greater)**

## Severe Hail

**Severe Hail**

**3⁄4 inch or larger**

## Flooding

**Flooding**

## Open Discussion

**NWS Products and Services**
*Are we meeting your needs?*
*Recognizing “test” products*
*How do you receive Watches and Warnings?*
**Severe Weather Reports**
*911 Dispatchers are critical to the process*
**Other Topics**

## Real Warning

**WFUS53 KGRB 111832**
**TORGRB**
**WIC037-041-111945-**
**/O.NEW.KGRB.TO.W.0000.040311T1832Z-040311T1945Z/**
** **
**BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED**
**TORNADO WARNING**
**NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI**
**130 PM CST TUE MAR 11 2004**
** **
**THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREEN BAY HAS ISSUED A**
** **
*** TORNADO WARNING FOR...**
**  ****FLORENCE COUNTY**
**  ****NORTHERN FOREST COUNTY**
**.**
**.**
**.**
**.**

## Test Warning

**WFUS53 KGRB 111832**
**TORGRB**
**WIC037-041-111945-**
**/T.NEW.KGRB.TO.W.0000.040311T1832Z-040311T1945Z/**
** **
**BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED**
**TEST...TORNADO WARNING...TEST**
**NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI**
**130 PM CST TUE MAR 11 2004**
** **
**...THIS BULLETIN IS FOR TEST PURPOSES ONLY...**
**...NO SEVERE WEATHER IS OCCURRING IN THE MENTIONED AREAS...**
** **
**THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREEN BAY HAS ISSUED A**
** **
*** TEST TORNADO WARNING FOR...**
**  ****FLORENCE COUNTY**
**  ****NORTHERN FOREST COUNTY**
**.**
**.**
**.**
**.**