Livingston Parish Darrick Hesson, LEM Deputy Director

What is the StormReady Program?  “StormReady is a nationwide program that helps communities better protect their citizens during severe weather from tornadoes to tsunamis. The program encourages communities to a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations. StormReady provides emergency managers with clear-cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations.”

Quick Facts on Livingston Parish  Population approximately 135,000  Located in Southeast Louisiana  Considered a coastal parish because of Lake Maurepas  Boarders East Baton Rouge, Ascension Tangipahoa & St. Helena  Rural community

Getting Started  Visit NWS StormReady website for application and to download the toolkit  Are you in a surge zone?... If so, an additional application with hurricane-related criteria is required.  Stakeholder Meeting  Determine what category of guidelines to follow.

Stakeholder Meeting  Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness  Sheriff’s Office Communications  911 Communications  Parish President’s Office  Parish Public Works  Parish School Board  First Responder Agencies

Population Based Categories  The Guidelines for participation in the StormReady program are based on population. Less than 2,500 2,500 – 14,999 15,000 – 40,000 Greater than 40,000

StormReady Population-Based Guidelines  Guideline 1: Communication  Guideline 2: NWS Information Reception  Guideline 3: Weather & Water Monitoring  Guideline 4: Local Warning Dissemination  Guideline 5: Community Preparedness  Guideline 6: Administrative

Guideline 1: Communication  Establish 24 hr Warning Point (WP) Livingston Parish 911 Communications District and Sheriff’s Office  Establish Emergency Operations Center Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

Guideline 2: NWS Information Reception  Methods needed for EOC/WP to receive NWS warnings, etc. ① NOAA Weather Radio ② Television (Local network or Cable TV) ③ Radio Station (AM/FM) – EAS Reception ④ Internet (subscription for alerts) iNWS ⑤ Amateur Radio

Guideline 3: Weather & Water Monitoring  Local Weather & Water Monitoring Equipment ① Anemometer (Wind gauge) ② Rain Gauge ③ River Gauge ④ Internet Radar Source : National Weather Service ⑤ TV Radar Source : The Weather Channel

Guideline 4: Local Warning Dissemination  Methods for EOC/WP to disseminate warnings ① Plan for sirens on emergency vehicles ② Telephone tree to critical facilities ③ Local Pager System ④ Coordinated Area-Wide Radio Network ⑤ First Call Alert Notification System ⑥ Website, Facebook & Twitter

Guideline 5: Community Preparedness  Four annual weather safety talks  Train Spotters and Dispatchers biennially  Host/co-host annual NWS spotter training

Guideline 6: Administrative  Formal hazardous weather operations plan  Visit by emergency manager to NWS  Annual visits by NWS official to community

Breaking It Down  Technology Weather Station NOAA Weather Radio AM/FM Radio Amateur Radio Internet Access TV  Administrative SLOSH/Hurrivac Training Storm Spotter Class Storm Surge & Wind Risk Assessment Hazardous Weather Operations Plan EOC Activation Procedure Spotter Activation Criteria Public Outreach Shelter Area’s & Pickup Points

Administrative = Time Consuming SLOSH/Hurrivac Training Storm Spotter Class Storm Surge & Wind Risk Assessment Hazardous Weather Operations Plan EOC Activation Procedure Spotter Activation Criteria Public Outreach Shelter Area’s & Pickup Points

Cost  No cost to Apply to the StormReady Program  Use HLS Grants to offset additional expenses. Purchases ○ Davis Weather Station ○ Five NOAA Weather Radio’s

What Are The Benefits  In addition to praise from NWS and GOHSEP… StormReady Signs to display through out your community Recognition on the national StormReady map of communities Possibility of lower Flood Insurance Premiums AND…

Giving the citizens in your community peace of mind by knowing your doing everything possible to prepare for severe weather.

Contacting your Local Office  Lake Charles : (318)  New Orleans : (504)  Shreveport : (318)

Questions?... Darrick Hesson, LEM Deputy Director Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness