StormReady Phil Hysell Warning Coordination Meteorologist NWS Blackburg

History StormReady began in Tulsa, OK, back in 1999 as a local effort to educate residents about storm safety. StormReady addressed the need for a planning system to help communities prepare for severe weather. Latimer County and Wilburton, OK longest active SR communities ~17 years! (2/22/99) Wilburton, OK in 1999 Ocean Shores, WA in 2001

Why are we doing this? “Every year, around 500 Americans lose their lives to severe weather and floods. More than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 2,500 floods, 1,000 tornadoes, and 10 hurricanes impact the United States annually. Potentially deadly weather can impact every person in the country. That's why the National Weather Service developed the StormReady program.”

Why are we doing this? StormReady and TsunamiReady encourage communities to take proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather and tsunami operations and public awareness. They are active collaborations between federal, state, territorial, tribal and local emergency management agencies, the public, media and the NWS warning system. Both are high visibility programs for the NWS and NOAA inside the Beltway. They are heralded as “innovative best practices in how to form federal partnerships with our constituents.” TSUNAMIS: IS THE U.S. PREPARED? HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION JANUARY 26, 2005

StormReady Recognition Process Application – Submitted to local NWS Forecast Office –On-line application available at - –Electronic versions which can be printed also available StormReady Advisory Board verification team performs on-site verification visit to ensure all StormReady criteria are met Local StormReady Advisory Board Review –If criteria are not met, StormReady Advisory Board suggests improvements and works with the community to implement necessary changes –If criteria met, StormReady Recognition granted and a recognition Ceremony and Press Conference is held for the community

Successful Applicants Receive: StormReady Certificate of Recognition letter from local NWS Office Meteorologist in Charge, valid for 3 years Authority to Order StormReady signs Authorization to use the StormReady logo Listing on the National StormReady Website Recognition Ceremony POSSIBLE rate reductions in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Must contact your regional NFIP representative

StormReady Renewal Process StormReady recognition is for 3 years NWS office will notify you about 6 months prior to expiration A first-time renewal may be completed by utilizing the “Signature in Renewal Year” section on the original StormReady application Renewal effective for 3 years Subsequent renewals will require the community to go through the entire application process again.

Where we stand

StormReady Web Site

SR/TR Applications PLEASE try to submit any applications in electronic format Regardless, be sure to save your applications for the renewal process PLEASE try to submit any applications in electronic format Regardless, be sure to save your applications for the renewal process

Guideline 1: Communications Established 24-Hour Warning Point Established Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Ability to relay real-time storm reports to forecast office

Guideline 2: NWS Warning Reception Warning points and EOCs each need multiple ways to receive NWS warnings – NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards: receiver with tone alert. Specific Area Message Encoding is preferred. (Required for recognition only if within range of transmitter) – iNWS – Statewide law enforcement telecommunications: Automatic relay of NWS products on law enforcement systems – Amateur Radio transceiver: Potential communications directly to NWS office – Wireless Devices: – Television: Local network or cable TV – Local Radio: (Emergency Alert System - LP1/LP2) – National Warning System (NAWAS) drop: – Subscriptions for alerts

Guideline 3: Hydrometeorological Monitoring Means of monitoring/gathering weather information, especially radar data – Internet – Television/Cable TV/Radio – Two-way radio – Local systems for monitoring weather – Access to Rain Gauges/River Gauges

Guideline 4: Warning Dissemination Once NWS warnings are received, or local information suggests an imminent weather threat, the local emergency officials should communicate with as much of the population as possible –NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Required LocationsRecommended Locations 24-Hour Warning Point Emergency Operations Center City Hall School Superintendent Office For Universities: Dormitories (Housing Desk) Stadiums & Athletic Facilities Dining Facilities Law Enforcement Courthouses Public libraries Hospitals All schools Fairgrounds Parks and recreation areas Public utilities Sports arenas Transportation departments

Guideline 4: Warning Dissemination Continued In addition to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards requirements, recognition will be contingent upon having one or more of the following means ensuring timely warning dissemination to citizens: –Outdoor Sirens –Local Flood warning systems with no single point of failure –Other locally-controlled methods like a local broadcast system or pagers to law enforcement –Reverse 911 systems –Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

Guideline 5: Community Preparedness Conduct or facilitate safety talks for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and industries. (These may be a part of multihazard presentations affecting local communities/regions) Accomplish weather-related safety campaigns which include publicity for NOAA Weather Radios where coverage exists EOC/Warning point staff and storm spotters will need to attend NWS storm spotter training sessions at least every other year (All jurisdictions larger than 40,000 people will need to host/co- host a spotter training session every year)

Guideline 6: Administrative Approved hazardous weather action plans must be in place. These plans will need to address, at a minimum, the following: –Hazards/risk assessment –EOC activation criteria and procedures if applicable –Storm spotter roster and training record if applicable –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 will need to 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

NWS StormReady Web Page