StormReady Frank Revitte Warning Coordination Meteorologist NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Area (located in Slidell LA) Louisiana OHSEP Director’s Meeting Jackson Barracks – Jan 18, 2012 Louisiana OHSEP Director’s Meeting Jackson Barracks – Jan 18, 2012

NWS Weather Forecast Offices Louisiana Areas of Responsibility

Billion Dollar Weather Events

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 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

What is StormReady? StormReady is a “grass roots” program that focuses on improving communication and severe weather preparedness in communities. Began at the NWS Office in Tulsa, OK StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs StormReady prepares communities for a variety of severe weather. Separate criteria for tsunamis StormReady provides community leaders and emergency managers with detailed and clear guidance on how to improve their warning and weather preparedness programs StormReady is a “grass roots” program that focuses on improving communication and severe weather preparedness in communities. Began at the NWS Office in Tulsa, OK StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs StormReady prepares communities for a variety of severe weather. Separate criteria for tsunamis StormReady provides community leaders and emergency managers with detailed and clear guidance on how to improve their warning and weather preparedness programs

StormReady Goals and Incentives Improve timeliness of hazardous weather warning reception and dissemination for community Provide an “image incentive” to community Encourage surrounding areas to improve their hazardous weather preparedness programs Improve timeliness of hazardous weather warning reception and dissemination for community Provide an “image incentive” to community Encourage surrounding areas to improve their hazardous weather preparedness programs

StormReady Designations StormReady – Community Meets full guidelines of the Storm Ready Program Guidelines based on population of the community. Storm Ready Supporter Organization may not be able to meet the full guidelines, yet includes severe weather safety in the safety plans Promotes principles and guidelines of the StormReady Each Local NWS Office / Storm Ready Advisory Board dictates the StormReady Supporter Requirement. Receives a sign and designation on the StormReady web site. StormReady – Community Meets full guidelines of the Storm Ready Program Guidelines based on population of the community. Storm Ready Supporter Organization may not be able to meet the full guidelines, yet includes severe weather safety in the safety plans Promotes principles and guidelines of the StormReady Each Local NWS Office / Storm Ready Advisory Board dictates the StormReady Supporter Requirement. Receives a sign and designation on the StormReady web site.

January there were over 1800 StormReady Sites in 49 States StormReady TsunamiReady University/Lab Industrial Site Indian Nation

Storm Ready – Louisiana Louisiana StormReady Sites –14 Parishes –1 Community –1 University –1 Supporter

StormReady Guidelines Establish Communication and Coordination Plans –24 Hour Warning Point –Emergency Operations Center Receive Critical Warning Information - NOAA Weather Radio - NOAA Weather Wire - Emergency Managers Weather Information Network - News Media (Radio/TV) - Internet - Cell /Smart Phones, etc. Establish Communication and Coordination Plans –24 Hour Warning Point –Emergency Operations Center Receive Critical Warning Information - NOAA Weather Radio - NOAA Weather Wire - Emergency Managers Weather Information Network - News Media (Radio/TV) - Internet - Cell /Smart Phones, etc.

Storm Ready Guidelines ( contd) 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 - Sirens - Other systems unique to the area 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 - Sirens - Other systems unique to the area

Storm Ready Guidelines ( contd) Increase Community Preparedness - Spotter and dispatcher severe weather training - Public weather safety presentations Enhance Internal Operational Procedures - Review of hazardous weather action plan Increase Community Preparedness - Spotter and dispatcher severe weather training - Public weather safety presentations Enhance Internal Operational Procedures - Review of hazardous weather action plan

Additional Local Guidelines NWS Offices have option of including additional local guidelines in coordination with regional offices / local storm ready board. NWS Slidell has included additional guidelines to address Hurricane Hazards –Storm Surge Vulnerability of Parish and EOC facility –Hurricane / Storm Surge training for EM Staff and decision makers NWS Offices have option of including additional local guidelines in coordination with regional offices / local storm ready board. NWS Slidell has included additional guidelines to address Hurricane Hazards –Storm Surge Vulnerability of Parish and EOC facility –Hurricane / Storm Surge training for EM Staff and decision makers

Storm Ready Process Population dictate the requirements for each guideline. Local Emergency Manager coordinates with NWS Office on application process Approval process includes: Site visit by NWS and a member of Emergency Management Community (GOHSEP rep) - confirming information on application.

StormReady Recognition Process Contact your local NWS Office and discuss the program and criteria you will need to meet for Storm Ready approval Community applies in writing to local NWS Forecast Office Local StormReady Advisory Board reviews application StormReady Advisory Board performs on-site verification visit to ensure all StormReady criteria are met If criteria are not met, StormReady Advisory Board suggests improvements and works with the community to implement necessary changes Once all criteria are met, a recognition Ceremony and Press Conference is held for community Contact your local NWS Office and discuss the program and criteria you will need to meet for Storm Ready approval Community applies in writing to local NWS Forecast Office Local StormReady Advisory Board reviews application StormReady Advisory Board performs on-site verification visit to ensure all StormReady criteria are met If criteria are not met, StormReady Advisory Board suggests improvements and works with the community to implement necessary changes Once all criteria are met, a recognition Ceremony and Press Conference is held for community

Successful Applicants Receive: StormReady 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 Information on how to notify the ISO for possible flood insurance rate adjustments Listing on the Natl StormReady Website StormReady 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 Information on how to notify the ISO for possible flood insurance rate adjustments Listing on the Natl StormReady Website

StormReady – Getting Started Visit the NWS StormReady Page: –Review the Guidelines and Material for the Storm Ready and StormReady Supporter designation. –Variety of resources are available on the StormReady web site. Contact your local National Weather Service Office – –Speak with the Warning Coordination Meteorologist and discuss the StormReady program with him. Visit the NWS StormReady Page: –Review the Guidelines and Material for the Storm Ready and StormReady Supporter designation. –Variety of resources are available on the StormReady web site. Contact your local National Weather Service Office – –Speak with the Warning Coordination Meteorologist and discuss the StormReady program with him.

Thank You!