# Presentation: 877771

## Storm Data Program Overview

**Brenton MacAloney**
**Meteorologist, NWS Performance Branch**
**June 10****th****, 2008**

## 1850s – Earliest known storm data reports.  Data collected by the military and sent to DC via telegram.

1959 – First NCDC published Storm Data Publication.  Data documented using typewriter.

1993 – First electronic version of storm data collection.  Data documented using WordPerfect 5.0.

1996 – StormDat program developed.  Data documented using Paradox 7 database.

1999 – StormDat 2000 developed and data documented using Paradox 9 database.

2006 – Web-based StormDat developed and data documented using Microsoft SQL Server. (current version)

**1959 – First NCDC published Storm Data Publication.  Data documented using typewriter.**
**1993 – First electronic version of storm data collection.  Data documented using WordPerfect 5.0.**
**1996 – StormDat program developed.  Data documented using Paradox 7 database.**
**1999 – StormDat 2000 developed and data documented using Paradox 9 database.**
***2006 – Web-based StormDat developed and data documented using Microsoft SQL Server. (current version)***

**History of Storm Data**

## Storm Data Process

**Storm Data Process**

## The information that you enter into the StormDat program has many uses.  Here are a few...

  NWS Verification Statistics
  Official NCDC Storm Data Publication
  SPC’s Official Severe Weather Database
  NWS’s Internal Service Assessments
  Academic Research Studies
  Disaster Reports
  Army Corps of Engineers  
  Congressional and Other Gov Data Requests
  Public and Private Data Requests

**  ****NWS Verification Statistics**
**  ****Official NCDC Storm Data Publication**
**  ****SPC’s Official Severe Weather Database**
**  ****NWS’s Internal Service Assessments**
**  ****Academic Research Studies**
**  ****Disaster Reports**
**  ****Army Corps of Engineers  **
**  ****Congressional and Other Gov Data Requests**
**  ****Public and Private Data Requests**

**Storm Data Uses**

## Storm Data Directive 10-1605

-   **Originally written and updated annually by group of**
**   ****WCMs, as well as representatives from SPC, NCDC,  **
**   ****and WSH**
**  ****Best source for the “do’s” and “dont’s” of storm data**
**  ****It is recommend you print up a copy and place it next **
**   ****to the PC you use to enter storm data**
**  ****Latest revision:  August 17, 2007**

## Damage Amounts

-   **Damage estimates entered into StormDat are very **
**   ****important to many people.**
**  ****Although they may not be the most accurate data **
**   ****we collect, they give a good estimate.**
**  ****Always use your best judgment.**
**  ****No one in the Performance Branch will ever **
**   ****question your damage amounts.**

## Damage Amounts

**Here’s a useful tip for collecting amounts for crop damage:**
**	****Call your local Farm Service Agency.  In most ****	****cases they will have damage estimates for ****	****events within their jurisdiction.  Here’s the link ****	****for finding your local Farm Service Agency:**
- _[http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa](http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa)_
**This link is also available in the online WCM Job Aid**

## Future of StormDat

**Over the next few years, more modifications will come to the StormDat program regarding how events are entered...**
**  ****Addition of shapefiles to define area boundaries**
**  ****Ability to import events plotted in a shapefile**
**  “****Draw the event as it happened” reporting**
**  ****Quicker methods for entering long duration **
**    ****events**