|
|
|
|
Weather Service Roles
Thu Dec 22, 2005
Listen in RealAudio 
To say the least, the past two hurricane seasons have been devastating, most especially for the southeast United States, as well as several Latin American and Caribbean nations. Hi, I’m Bryan Yeaton for The Weather Notebook. The National Weather Service is, of course, responsible for the forecasts, but according to Director David Johnson, the process starts way before a specific storm.
In the Fall, after the 2004 hurricane season, but before the 2005, we actually did a pretty vigorous outreach program where we take the opportunity for the people from the Hurricane Center to go out and visit the schools and develop programs.
Specifically, we start trying to prepare people and say, "you need a plan." The time to figure out what your plan is not 48 hours before the storm arrives, its now. You ought to have a fly-away kit; you ought to have some extra batteries. You ought to figure out how you are going to get out of town.
Once a storm starts developing, and we start doing a track. And a five day forecast for a specific storm with a cone of uncertainty. The very best forecast that people don’t act on is not worth it.
Johnson says his organization has awareness weeks on disasters from lightning and tornadoes to flooding.
Part of the "Turn Around, Don’t Drown" campaign. And worked with the federal highways and transportation and ended up getting the official sign for high water danger. And it turned out to be pink, unfortunately. All the good colors were taken.
Johnson says that after even after landfall, the job is not over.
Well as you rightly point out, the storm doesn’t stop as soon as it hits the coast, and over 50% of our casualties with any tropical cyclone are associated with that fresh water flooding.
Johnson adds that the Weather Service also provides forecasting and support for the recovery effort. Our show is supported by Subaru of America. Find us online at www.weathernotebook.org.
Today's Links
NWS Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services
http://tadd.weather.gov/
|
|
