Beyond Storm Warnings Emergency management perspectives on addressing

Beyond Storm Warnings: Emergency management perspectives on addressing vulnerable populations

Overview • Severe weather preparedness & response – What we do now, what works, what doesn’t – Feedback from federal, state, local emergency managers • Where we are headed… – Vulnerability, lessons learned

FEMA Region IV Hurricane Program What we do…who we work with… • Hurricane Evacuation Studies • Training & Outreach: – State and local conferences – HURREVAC, decision support tools, resources – Hurricane Readiness & preparedness: coastal and inland communities • Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT) – HLT Team Lead • Other Activities: – Post Storm Assessments – Subject Matter Expertise • Partner with: – National Hurricane Center – River Forecast Centers – National Weather Service – Storm Prediction Center – NOAA Coastal Services Center – US Army Corps of Engineers – Department of Transportation – Regional program managers, state hurricane program managers

FEMA Hurricane Liaison Team Mission: • Support hurricane response operations through the rapid exchange of critical information between the National Hurricane Center and emergency managers at all levels. Team: • FEMA staff, National Weather Service meteorologists and hydrologists

HURREVAC: “Hurricane Evacuation” Software

Severe weather preparedness & response Brock Long, Director, Alabama Emergency Mgt Collaboration with local weather forecast offices: – Southern Linc – Conference Calls – National Weather Service deploys to state Emergency Operations Center on request “We need more products available on multiple platforms…”

Severe weather preparedness & response Examples Victor Jones, Director (retired), Sumter County EMA: – A proponent of warning systems, weather radios – Not big on outdoor warnings/sirens – people can’t hear them – Opened EOC for every watch at modified level • Easier to coordinate a fast response • Easier to travel to EOC before storms hit – “It seems like at least 70% of time the major damage in my county seemed to have happened outside the tornado watch box, outside the tornado watch time, or was from the related severe weather such as hail and wind damage”. .

Severe weather preparedness & response Examples Eddie Smith, Deputy City Manager, Kannapolis, NC: – Doesn’t have NOAA Wx Radio in office – Receives watch/warning information from Fire/Police chief – Receives updates from partners: Duke Power – May activate for warnings, situation dependent – Lesson Learned: Mayor has to declare a local state of emergency to activate Emergency Operations Center • Not typically done for severe weather “don’t want to ‘alarm’ the public” • After recent flooding, this policy is being re-evaluated – “Promote Cell Phone Notification Service!”

Severe weather preparedness & response FEMA Region IV: –Timing – Graphics – Regional perspective • “Overview” (in non-technical terms) • Multi state impacts • Difficult to get from NWS/NOAA products – Started regional conference calls with SPC for High Risk events

What Doesn’t… Opportunities for improvement…

Opportunities for improvement… ? ? ? ?

Opportunities for improvement…

Where are we headed? What works? Thoughts on Vulnerability…and mitigation Randy Webster, Director, Horry County Emergency Mgt • “Even though tornadoes can strike anywhere, you would not believe how few people understand their risk to these and other major storms. ” • “There has to be better communication regarding risks and vulnerability so everyone can understand the benefits (of preparation). ” • “For most people it seems there is a direct relationship between preparedness and insurance premiums. The better your fire protection, the lower your insurance premium. And this is more pronounced in the business industry. We need more support for tying homeowner and business insurance premiums reductions with mitigation efforts to homes and businesses. ”

Determining Vulnerability • Who is at risk? – Many of our most vulnerable populations are often those most deeply affected by disaster. – Vulnerability can be described in many ways: • What is the exposure of a specific community? • What is the impact to the community?

Determining Vulnerability FEMA Hurricane Evacuation Studies:

Determining Vulnerability • Vulnerability Analysis: – Helps coastal decision-makers identify populations at risk from storm surge and winds – Customized to meet local needs • Typically depict storm surge and wind • Identify vulnerable populations such as mobile home densities, critical facilities, tourist areas, etc. – Cross referenced with transportation, behavioral, hazard, shelter analyses

Determining Vulnerability (RV Population in Mississippi) (Wind swath & mobile home density in South Carolina)

Determining Vulnerability

Determining Vulnerability Visualizing storm surge inundation

Determining Vulnerability

Determining Vulnerability Basic Questions - Hurricanes: – What structures will withstand the winds? – What areas are most susceptible to inland flooding? – Shadow evacuations – Community isolation – Shelter capacity – Who should leave first? – Local resources – response and recovery

Determining Vulnerability Special Considerations: – – – Mobile Homes Substandard Construction Manufactured Housing Special Needs Populations, Medical Facilities Isolated Areas Tourist Areas Special Events Non-English Speaking Populations Public Transportation Network Transportation Dependent Pets

Determining Vulnerability Making vulnerability analysis a success: – Local and state “buy-in” – Driven at the community level based on their needs – Supported by decision-makers – Integration of sound analyses – Good hazard data – Behavioral component – All-hazards if possible – Sufficient Funding

Emergency Management = Partnerships – Elected officials – Federal, state, and local government representatives – Emergency management officials – Military facilities – Parks and recreation officials – Hospitals, nursing homes, health care – Private/public utility representatives – Transportation representatives – Public works officials – – – – – School administrators News media Special needs groups Animal welfare organizations Hotel operators Business representatives Tourist industry representatives Industrial facility representatives Volunteer organizations • American Red Cross • Salvation Army

Questions? Rebecca Jennings Hurricane Program Specialist FEMA/Region IV rebecca. jennings@dhs. gov