Is Your Community StormReady? Emergency Management Track

Is Your Community StormReady? Emergency Management Track Pat Vesper Warning Coordination Meteorologist WFO Midland, TX Patrick Repman, EMC, City of Midland Dale Little, EMC, Midland County

What is StormReady? A grass roots program focusing on improving communication and severe weather preparedness. It helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs. It prepares communities for severe weather and other disasters. It provides guidance on how to improve warning and preparedness programs.

The History of StormReady Back in 1999, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist and the Meteorologist-in- Charge of the Tulsa office There must be someway to recognize those emergency managers that are going the extra mile. Together they came up with the concept of StormReady.

The History of StormReady On Feb. 22, 1999, Latimer County and the county seat Wilburton became the first StormReady county and community in America. On June 4, 1999, Claremore, Oklahoma and Rogers County became the second community and county to become StormReady.

The History of StormReady On June 10, 1999, Siloam Springs, Arkansas became the first community outside of Oklahoma to become StormReady. On June 24, 1999, Tulsa and Tulsa County became the first highly populated locations to become StormReady.

The History of StormReady StormReady became a national program of the National Weather Service in 2000. TsunamiReady program - a sister program followed thereafter.

StormReady Across the Nation As of February 10, 2010 there were 1559 StormReady Sites in 49 states: 801 Counties 651 Communities 48 Universities 7 Indian Nation 28 Commercial Sites 12 Military Sites 12 Governmental Sites 73 TsunamiReady Sites 111 StormReady Supporters Gold counties are StormReady Light Blue dots are TsunamiReady communities Blue dots are StormReady Communities/Towns/Cities Red dots are StormReady Commercial Sites Green dots are StormReady Indian Nations Purple dots are StormReady Universities Brown dots are StormReady Military/Government Sites

Why do we need StormReady? Americans cope with an average of 10,000 thunderstorms, 2,500 floods, 1,000 tornadoes, as well as an average of 6 deadly hurricanes each year.

Why do we need StormReady? Approximately 90% of all Presidentially declared disasters are weather related On average there are 500 weather related deaths each year across America Severe weather causes nearly $14 billion in property damage each year

StormReady Incentives Improves timeliness of hazardous weather warning reception and dissemination in communities Helps local Emergency Managers justify costs of hazardous weather-related programs Provides an image incentive to communities Encourages surrounding areas to improve their hazardous weather preparedness programs Receives 25 Community Rating System Points to possibly lower National Flood Insurance Plan premiums

So why do you want to be StormReady? You want to organize your community effort in advance for potential disasters. You want the Community Rating Preparedness System points assigned by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) You want to become recognized as StormReady to enhance community pride.

So why do you want to be StormReady? Lamar Elementary May 24, 1957 Lamar Elementary Nov. 20, 2009

So why do you want to be StormReady? It doesn t matter who you are or where you re located, your critical time will come. We only have one chance to be ready.

Understanding StormReady Becoming StormReady is not about one person making a commitment. StormReady is not about checking required boxes. StormReady is more about an active partnership between your local National Weather Service office and the emergency management community.

Understanding StormReady In 2002, Van Wert County, Ohio placed warning alert systems in public locations as they achieved StormReady recognition. One of those locations was a local movie theatre. Later that year, a tornado touched down in Van Wert County. Warnings were issued 28 minutes prior to the theatre being struck.

Understanding StormReady The theatre manager moved adults and kids into safer hallways and bathrooms in advance of the approaching storm. When the tornado struck, the theatre roof was torn off and cars were tossed into the theatre seats that were previously occupied. The end result was 50 lives were saved. StormReady involves everyone.

How does StormReady work? Complete the application. Submit to your NWS office Application reviewed by Advisory Board Team visits your facilities Advisory Board votes to approve Ceremony held to formally recognize your program

How does StormReady work? Recognition letter from local NWS Office Two StormReady signs Authorization to use the StormReady logo Instructions for acquiring additional signs Information on how to notify the ISO for possible flood insurance rate adjustments Listing on the National StormReady Website

How does a community become StormReady? Establish Communication and Coordination Plans 24-Hour Warning Point Emergency Operations Center Receive Critical Warning Information NOAA Weather Radio - All Hazards NOAA Weather Wire Emergency Managers Weather Information Network Radio/TV Internet Pagers, cell phones, etc.

How does a community become StormReady? Monitor Evolving Weather Weather instruments River gage monitoring Radar access (Internet, local providers) Disseminate Warnings Emergency Alert System Cable Override NOAA Weather Radio in public buildings Outdoor Warning Sirens Other local warning systems

How does a community become StormReady? Increase Community Preparedness Spotter and dispatcher severe weather training Public weather safety presentations Enhance Internal Operational Procedures Hazardous weather action plan

StormReady Guidelines Communication NWS Information Reception Administrative Hydrometeorological Monitoring Community Preparedness Local Warning Dissemination

StormReady Guideline 1: Communications & Coordination Center Guidelines 24-hour Warning Point To be recognized as StormReady, an agency must have a 24-hour warning point to receive NWS information and provide local reports and advice. Law Enforcement Fire Department Dispatch Point County Agency Operates 24 hour a day Has warning reception capability Offers warning dissemination capability Has the ability and authority to activate local warning system(s) EOC ( > 2,500 people*) Activated based on guidelines related to NWS information or weather events Assumes weather-related duties of warning point when staffed Must be staffed with emergency management director or designee Offer warning reception capability Communicate with adjacent Warning Points/ EOCs Link to the NWS to relay real-time weather information to support the warning decision making process

StormReady Guideline 2: National Weather Service Warning Reception Guidelines Warning points and EOCs each need multiple ways to receive NWS warnings. The StormReady program guidelines for receiving NWS warnings in an EOC/WP require a combination of the following, based on population: NOAA Weather Radio (Tone preferred) if within range of transmitter EMWIN Receiver Satellite feed and/or VHF radio transmission of NWS products Commercial Data Services Amateur Radio Transceiver Pagers not directly tied to a local system Television local network or cable television Local Radio (Emergency Alert System: LP1/LP2) National Warning System Drop NAWAS NOAA Weather Wire Drop Satellite downlink data feed from NWS Other For example, active participation in a state-run warning network

StormReady Guideline 2: National Weather Service Warning Reception Guidelines EMWIN Vendors Page http://www.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/winven.htm Commercial Vendors Page http://www.nws.noaa.gov/im/more.htm

StormReady Guideline 3: Hydrometeorological Monitoring Guidelines To obtain StormReady recognition, each EOC/WP should have some combination of the following recommended means of gathering ancillary weather information: Access to radar data via Internet, TV, etc. Instruments to provide a measure of local hydrologic conditions. These instruments cannot be the sole means of hydrometeorological monitoring (i.e. wind equipment, river gages, etc.) Locally owned and operated weather radar.

StormReady Guideline 4: Warning Dissemination Guidelines Receiving StormReady recognition will be contingent upon having one or more of the following means of ensuring timely warning dissemination to citizens: NOAA All-Hazards Radio in governmentowned buildings assessed by the public Required locations: 24-hour warning point Emergency Operations Center City Hall School Superintendent office Recommended locations: Courthouses, Public libraries, Hospitals, Schools, Fairgrounds, Parks and recreation areas, Public utilities, Sports arenas, Departments of Transportation Cable television audio/video overrides. Local Flood warning systems with no single point of failure. Other locally-controlled methods like a local broadcast system or sirens on emergency vehicles. Outdoor warning sirens Counties Only: A county-wide communications network that ensures the flow of information between all cities and towns within its borders. This would include acting as a warning point for the smaller towns.

StormReady Guideline 5: Community Preparedness Guidelines Public education is vital in preparing citizens to respond properly to weather threats. An educated public is more likely to take steps to receive weather warnings, recognize potentially threatening weather situations, and act appropriately. The StormReady Program requires applicants to: Conduct or facilitate safety talks for schools, hospitals, nursing homes and industries. These may be a part of multi-hazard presentations affecting local communities/regions, such as flood, wildfire, tsunami Conduct weather-related safety campaigns which publicize NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards where coverage exists. Send EOC/WP staff to free NWS storm spotter training at least every other year. All jurisdictions larger than 40,000 people will need to host/co-host a spotter training session every year.

StormReady Guideline 6: Administrative Guidelines To be recognized in the StormReady program, an approved hazardous weather action plan needs to be in place. This plans needs to address, at a minimum, the following: Warning point procedures relating to natural hazards EOC activation criteria and procedures if applicable Storm spotter activation criteria and reporting procedures if applicable Storm spotter roster and training record if applicable.

StormReady Guideline 6: Administrative Guidelines Criteria and procedures for activation of sirens, cable television override, and/or local systems activation in accordance with state Emergency Alert System (EAS) plans Annual exercises relating to natural hazard. To facilitate close working relationships, the community/ county emergency management program leader must visit the supporting NWS office at least every other year. NWS officials will commit to visit accredited counties, cities, and towns annually to tour EOCs/Warning points and meet with key officials

Becoming StormReady Items to consider

What is NWSChat? NWSChat is a special chat software program that is loaded on a PC. It s maintained by the NWS. It s designed with the specific goal of helping our partners. It s free.

How is NWSChat different? NWSChat is secure and limited to our partners. NWSChat is used specifically to provide NWS information to those involved with both weather and non-weather related emergencies. NWSChat has a special feature called NWSbot that automatically places all warning information into the chatroom for your viewing.

NWSChat An Overview Started as IEMChat (2006) Transitioned to SRHChat (2008) Became NWSChat (2009) Provides an opportunity for EMs, media, Skywarn coordinators, and NWS forecasters to exchange information during an event Displays all event products issued by you local NWS office, SPC, and more Shows potential as a decision support tool for other core partners.

NWSChat

How do I sign-up for NWSChat? First, go to https://nwschat.weather.gov

How do I sign-up for NWSChat? Next, request an account as an NWS Partner

Next, fill out this form

CoCoRaHS - www.cocorahs.org Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network 2008 2009 2010 As of 2/12/10 2147 sites in Texas

Other Ideas Develop a weather-related website that uses NWS information to inform the community of current and impending weather, and provides multi-hazard preparedness information. Use social media like Twitter that can utilize data monitoring feed to help disseminate both warning and safety information to the county or community.

Other Ideas Utilize newer technologies (i.e. viaradio, CODE RED, etc.) to enhance communication and target specific groups (i.e. schools, public venues, etc.) Set up a real-time weather network for your county and place information in a central location (website) for viewing.

Does StormReady Work? Several SR communities struck by severe weather Brandon, MS April 24, 2003 F3 tornado moved through the center of well populated area 30 Million in damage Only 6 minor injuries The reason The community was well prepared.

Yes, StormReady Works! Spotters were watching the storm; communicating with NWS The community had resources for warning notification (sirens, pagers, NWR) The population was educated and knew what to do.

The StormReady Application http://www.stormready.noaa.gov

Questions? http://www.stormready.noaa.gov