NWS Preparedness in Southeast Alaska

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NWS Preparedness in Southeast Alaska
Joel Curtis Warning and Coordination
Meteorologist Juneau Forecast Office June 9,
2008
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NWS Mission

• Our primary mission is to protect life and
  property from natural hazards, and to enhance the
  welfare and economy of the Nation.
• Every aspect of emergency operations is directly
  affected by the weather.

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Outline

• NWS in SE Alaska
• SE Weather Hazards
• SE Challenges
• Tsunami
• NWS Services / Response
• Building Partnerships
• 
  

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NWS Offices in SE
Yakutat
Metlakatla
Juneau
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WCMYour Expert on Weather and Hazards

• Identify Threats Plan
• Manage Forecasts / Warnings
• Forecast Services
• Major Incidents ICS
• Mitigation

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NOAA Weather RadioAll Hazards

• 7 NWS 300-1000 watt transmitters
• 24 / 7 Broadcasts
• All Hazards natural, technological, Amber,
  terrorist, Presidential
• 9 USCG High Site 5-watt transmitters
• Rebroadcast NWR coast / inner channels
• 3,000 ft average transmitter elevation
• Increased NWR coverage by 300

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SE Weather Hazards

• High Wind
• Heavy Snow / Blizzard
• Marine Warnings
• Aviation
• IFR Conditions
• Icing
• Turbulence
• Low Level Wind Shear
• Flood / Coastal Flood

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SE Alaska Challenges

• Air and Sea Transport ONLY
• Coastline
• Terrain
• Weather
• Culture
• EM Organization

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Tsunami Analysis
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Tsunami Preparedness PlanFor Our Worst Threat!

• Focus on outer coast
• Yakutat frustrating !
• Metlatkatla Potential
• Follow-up Sitka
• West Prince of Wales Island
• Tsunami Ready on the Cheap

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Tsunami Ready on the Cheap

• Small Settlements
• No Infrastructure
• Comms Satellite Phone?
• Hand-cranked Siren 125
• Extension to Lower-48, World

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Building Partnerships
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Working Together

• STORM / TSUNAMI READY
• Services / Spot Forecasts / Observations
• NOAA Weather Radio / EAS /
• Forecasts NOAA HAZMAT or EPA
• Drills / Exercises
• Post Event Support
• IMET support through ICS

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Spot Forecasts

• Internet
• Phone WFO 24 / 7 790-6824

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What you can do for us!

• Enhance Storm / Tsunami Ready
• Aid in EM Contacts
• NWS Seat on SERC
• Communicate Non-natural Threats
• Feedback on Forecast Services
• Identify New Requirements
• Help with Education / Spotters

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Summary

• Working Together to Save Lives
• DHS EM
• Tsunami / Storm Ready
• Communicate Future Activities
• Situation Forecasts
• Include NWS in Drills / Exercises
• Consult NWS for Planning
• Ongoing Feedback
• Together We Can Make a Difference!