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NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE APRIL 9, 2001 Stu Ostro Director, Weather Communications THE WEATHER CHANNEL. THE WEATHER CHANNEL: Passionate about disaster mitigation 19 years of service TWC Forum. NEW COMMUNICATION MEDIA AT THE WEATHER CHANNEL. Many “platforms”
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NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE APRIL 9, 2001 Stu OstroDirector, Weather CommunicationsTHE WEATHER CHANNEL
THE WEATHER CHANNEL: • Passionate about disaster mitigation • 19 years of service • TWC Forum
NEW COMMUNICATION MEDIAAT THE WEATHER CHANNEL • Many “platforms” • Closed captioning • E.M. scrolls • El Canal del Tiempo • Impact graphics
NEW METEOROLOGICAL TECHNOLOGY • Advanced remote sensing • NOAA/AF flights • Improved data collection and integration • Computer forecast models for impacts • Application to wave/wave setup/surge, [inland] wind, rainfall
THE WEATHER CHANNEL EDUCATION & TRAINING • Project Safeside • On video network and weather.com • Talks to schools, general public, and E.M. community • In-house continuing ed of staff
MESSAGE CONSISTENCY • Needs to be a balance between government and private interests • - Private entities have “rights” but too much confusion for users can be counterproductive • TWC always relays all official information • - Storm data, watches/warnings, evacuation orders • TWC updates and interprets
BOTTOM LINE • A lot comes down to what happens at the “moment of truth”… • Develop and utilize new technology … • Ongoing education efforts should continue to be a priority… • But… • Need to “get back to basics” too!... • Beware of overreliance on computer model track/intensity predictions • Perfect forecast won’t matter if message is not communicated effectively and appropriately! • Update risk assessment of coastal locations and apply to evacuation strategy • Ensure objectivity in forecasts and action recommendations