Dan Reilly, Warning Coordination Meteorologist National Weather Service, Houston Overview of StormReady Program

StormReady What is StormReady? What are the benefits? How to apply

What is StormReady? Focuses on improving communication of weather hazard information to communities Encourages severe weather awareness programs so citizens no what to do in the event of severe weather Helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs

Goal of StormReady “When the National Weather Service issues a severe weather warning, the goal of StormReady is to make sure everyone knows about it, they know what to do, they do it and live.” John Ogren, NWS Focus on Warning Reception, Warning Dissemination, Emergency Planning for Weather Events, Public Education, Spotter Training, etc. All about increasing public safety through communication of information between NWS, EMCs and the general public

StormReady Recognition Program StormReady recognizes communities that have or place systems in place to: –Receive NWS Warnings multiple ways into EOC/24-hr warning point –Relay these warnings once received (ex: NOAA weather radios in public places) –Hold and/or host community weather safety events (ex: Hurricane Town meetings) –Have emergency action plans that pertain to severe weather scenarios

StormReady Community The StormReady Community could be a town, county, college, university (ex: Texas A&M), Indian nation, commercial or military site StormReady would recognize the community if they have their own EM representative, have a 24-hr warning point and EOC staffed during severe weather and meet other requirements

1559 StormReady Sites, 48 Universities as of February 11th

StormReady Incentives Improves the timeliness and effectiveness of hazardous weather warnings for the community Helps local emergency managers justify costs of hazardous weather-related programs Rewards local hazardous-weather mitigation programs that have achieved a desired performance level Provides an “image incentive” to the community

How does a Community become StormReady?

Guidelines Depend on Population

Guideline 1: Communications Established 24-Hour Warning Point Established Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Each should be able to receive and disseminate warnings and relay real-time storm reports to forecast office

Guideline 2: NWS Warning Reception by 24-hr Warning Point/EOC Warning points and EOCs each need multiple ways to receive NWS warnings –NOAA Weather Radio –Statewide law enforcement telecommunications: Automatic relay of NWS products on law enforcement systems (TLETS) –Amateur Radio: Potential communications directly to NWS office –Wireless Devices: Warnings to your cell phone, PDA –Television: Local network or cable TV –Local Radio: (Emergency Alert System - LP1/LP2) –NOAA Weather Wire drop: Satellite downlink data feed from NWS –Other?

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

Guideline 4: Warning Dissemination: Getting the Information to the Community Required LocationsRecommended Locations 24-Hour Warning Point Emergency Operations Center City Hall (N/A) School Superintendent Office (N/A) Law Enforcement Courthouses Public libraries Hospitals All schools Fairgrounds Parks and recreation areas Public utilities Sports arenas Transportation departments One means: NOAA Weather Radio receivers in public buildings

Guideline 4: Warning Dissemination (Continued) Other means might include: –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 –Warning dissemination through text messaging, , phone calls, reverse-911 type technologies, etc

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. 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

StormReady Recognition Process Apply – Fill out application found on web site; recommend using the Word form (easiest to modify based on feedback) MIC (Gene Hafele) and WCM (me) review application, go over anything that may need to be adjusted, clarified StormReady Advisory Board (SRAB) verification team (Me, Gene, RLO) perform on-site verification visit to check off criteria are met –If criteria are not met, SRAB suggests improvements and works with the community to implement necessary changes –If criteria met, StormReady Recognition granted and a recognition Ceremony is held for the community

At the Ceremondy Successful Applicants Receive: StormReady Certificate of Recognition letter from local NWS Office Meteorologist in Charge, valid for 3 years Two official StormReady signs Authorization to use the StormReady logo Instructions for acquiring additional signs Listing on the National StormReady Website