COMPONENTS OF A FLASH FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM

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COMPONENTS OF A FLASH FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
By Curtis Barrett NOAA National Weather Service,
USA NOAA/WMO International Flash Flood
Workshop March 14, 2006
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FORECASTS AND RESPONSE
END TO END ALL HAZARDS FORECAST AND WARNING
REGIONAL AND NATIONAL CENTERS
Decision Support
Data
Communication
Forecast
Notification
Warn people
Actions
Collect hazard data
Transmit Data To Forecast Center
Forecast Tsunamis, Typhoons, Floods,droughts
Warning
Send Warning To Countries at risk
EVACUATION
Warnings to communities
Integrated All Hazard forecasting, warning and
response with Tsunami Warning system
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Evaluate Existing System

• Determine weaknesses in existing components
• Determine GAP between existing system and Desired
  system
• Write Strategic Plan to Fill GAP

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Build Hydromet Network

• Design river and rainfall network
• Minimum,ideal
• Consider satellite rainfall estimates
• Radar ?
• Use all hydromet data sources available- Seek
  Data partners

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Establishing a Flash Flood System

• Select/Implement Hydrologic Modeling System
• Acquire historical hydrometeorological data
• Acquire GIS/Link to modeling system for
  calibration
• Modeling system must be flexible to data
  availability

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Develop USER Partnerships

• User Requirements for Data are your requirements
• Develop USER partnerships
• USERS assist NMHS in developing plan
• USERS lobby government to execute plan

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Its Hydrometeorology- Cooperate

• Couple Meteorological Model To Hydrologic
  Modeling System - QPF extremely Important
• Coordination between Meteorologist and
  Hydrologist imperative to provide sufficient

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Establishing a Flash Flood System

• Forecasts Tailored to Users
• Use visualization products to communicate impact
• Disseminate Forecasts Data to Users
• Use mass media
• RANET, EMWIN
• Apply Operations Concept
• Develop Capacity and Sustainability

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Capacity Building

• Training
• Hydrology
• Meteorology
• Computer System Administration
• Cooperative Training/On-the-Job training
• Models,Data Systems,communications
• Automated Flood Warning Systems
• Other
• Workshops Seminars
• University Training

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SUMMARY

• Develop Strategic VISION i.e. a plan
• Develop Partnerships with USERS
• (energy. Emergency services,media,transportation
• Costs vs Benefits calculated for network
  enhancement
• Make sure maintenance plans and funds included to
  assure sustainability
• Sell plan at every opportunity
• Have patience

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Flash Flood Hazards increasing