StormReady Working Together to Save Lives Mary Jo Parker National Weather Service Wilmington, Ohio

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

What is StormReady? StormReady is a “grass roots” program that focuses on improving communication and severe weather preparedness in communities StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs StormReady prepares communities for severe weather - from tornadoes to tsunamis StormReady provides community leaders and emergency managers with detailed and clear guidance on how to improve their warning and weather preparedness programs

StormReady Incentives Improve timeliness of hazardous weather warning reception and dissemination for communityImprove timeliness of hazardous weather warning reception and dissemination for community Help local Emergency Managers justify costs of hazardous weather-related programsHelp local Emergency Managers justify costs of hazardous weather-related programs Provide an “image incentive” to communityProvide an “image incentive” to community Encourage surrounding areas to improve their hazardous weather preparedness programsEncourage surrounding areas to improve their hazardous weather preparedness programs Receive 25 Community Rating System Points to possibly lower National Flood Insurance Plan premiumsReceive 25 Community Rating System Points to possibly lower National Flood Insurance Plan premiums

As of April 2007 there were 1164 StormReady Sites in 50 States StormReady TsunamiReady University/Lab Industrial Site Indian Nation

As of April 2007 there were 8 StormReady Counties in Ohio

StormReady Community Defined StormReady defines “community” as a group of people within a locality that have common social and economic interests with an infrastructure that supports the communication and education role of the National Weather Service to protect lives and property In Ohio we recognize Counties for the StormReady program. StormReady defines “community” as a group of people within a locality that have common social and economic interests with an infrastructure that supports the communication and education role of the National Weather Service to protect lives and property In Ohio we recognize Counties for the StormReady program.

Integrated Warning System Detection and Warning Communication and Dissemination Response U.S. National Weather Service Detection and Warning is an important part of the Integrated Warning System.

Integrated Warning System What we have learned from Social Scientists is that if any one part of the Integrated Warning System breaks down… the entire process fails U.S. National Weather Service

Goshen Church: Piedmont, AL March 27, 1994 U.S. National Weather Service The NWS issued a tornado warning with 20 minute lead time The detection and warning portion of the system was a success but… the system still failed because the Church did not receive the warning message!

Goshen Church: Piedmont, AL March 27, 1994 U.S. National Weather Service Is there a safe place in the Church? Did the Church have a weather safety plan? Did they assess their vulnerability to severe weather threats ahead of time?

Van Wert Cinema: Van Wert, OH November 10, 2002 U.S. National Weather Service The NWS issued a tornado warning with a 28 minute lead time The detection and warning; communication and dissemination; and response portions of the Integrated Warning System were a success!

Van Wert Cinema, Van Wert, OH November 10, 2002 U.S. National Weather Service There was a safe place pre-designated in the Cinema! The Cinema had developed a weather safety plan! The Cinema assessed their vulnerability to severe weather threats ahead of time!

Response We want the public to respond correctly to a warning message The warning message itself does not stimulate an immediate response from people People will 1 st assess their own personal risk Public action depends on the content and clarity of the warning and the credibility of the issuing organization U.S. National Weather Service

Response (continued) Potential for correct response increases if people have clear information that defines their personal risk and tells them what actions to take Bottom Line: We need to provide consistent, credible, information from multiple trusted sources U.S. National Weather Service

U.S. NWS Communication and Dissemination U.S. NWS partners with the media and private sector to disseminate warning messages U.S. NWS has multiple systems to use to get warning messages out to the public

NOAA Weather Radio The voice of the National Weather Service There are over 940 NWR Transmitters in all 50 States across the U.S. U.S. National Weather Service

NOAA Weather Radio and Emergency Alert System U.S. National Weather Service

Partnerships Partners consist of multiple publics: Emergency ManagementEmergency Management Other Government AgenciesOther Government Agencies Private SectorPrivate Sector MediaMedia U.S. National Weather Service

Partnerships Establishing close working relationship with partners is crucial to a successful integrated warning process Allows you to do things together that you can’t do alone Leverages resources to get the job done U.S. National Weather Service

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

How does a Community become StormReady? (contd) Monitor Evolving Weather Monitor Evolving Weather - Weather instruments - Weather instruments - River gage monitoring - River gage monitoring - Radar access (Internet, local providers) - Radar access (Internet, local providers) Disseminate Warnings - Emergency Alert System - Emergency Alert System - Cable Override - Cable Override - NOAA Weather Radio in public buildings - NOAA Weather Radio in public buildings - Sirens - Sirens - Other systems unique to the area - Other systems unique to the area

How does a Community become StormReady? (contd) Increase Community Preparedness Increase Community Preparedness - Spotter and dispatcher severe weather training - Spotter and dispatcher severe weather training - Public weather safety presentations - Public weather safety presentations Enhance Internal Operational Procedures - Review of hazardous weather action plan - Review of hazardous weather action plan

StormReady Recognition Process 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 Renewal Process NWS Meteorologist-in-Charge should send a notification letter to communities that need to re-apply with 6 months advance notice Letter includes a copy of the original Application and a request that local officials review the application to certify that it is still accurate Community official should provide an updated list of any new technology or information that has been added since the initial application was signed Once a community official signs the application and returns it to the NWS local office, the 3-year renewal becomes effective

NWS StormReady Web Page StormReady Main Page: Welcome to the program Communities: National map of StormReady communities How to Apply: Application process details. Application is available in WordPerfect, MS Word, PDF, and on-line formats. There’s also a “Tool Kit for Emergency Managers” Awareness: Weather safety brochures and materials Publications/Photos: FAQs, brochures, ceremony photos, StormReady History Contact Us: State map of USA. Click on a state to get your local NWS StormReady contact

StormReady Web Resources NWS StormReady Page:

Thank You!