Important NOAA All Hazards and Changes NWS changes effective for the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season

The Federal Communications Commission Watch (FCC) added three new Event Codes to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) Rules for the Event Code /SSA/ 2017 hurricane season. For the Gulf and East coasts, NWS will issue NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is the Storm Surge Watch for the possibility of the primary means for NWS alerts to activate life-threatening inundation from rising water the EAS. The new EAS Rules and new NWS moving inland within the specified area, policy adopt the following weather Event generally within 48 hours, associated with a Codes for both EAS and NWR: tropical, subtropical, or post-.

NWS may issue this watch earlier when Extreme Wind Warning conditions, such as tropical storm-force Event Code /EWW/ winds, could reduce the time available for protective actions, such as evacuations. NWS The Extreme Wind Warning is issued for also may issue a watch for locations not advance notice of sustained surface wind expected to receive life-threatening speeds of 115 miles per hour or greater in inundation but could potentially be isolated association with major hurricanes. Extreme by inundation in adjacent areas. Wind Warnings are issued by all coastal NWS Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) in Southern NWS will broadcast Storm Surge Watches on Region and Eastern Region, including WFO NWR. WFOs may request EAS activation for San Juan, and the following inland WFOs: the Storm Surge Watch when this has been Albany (NY), Atlanta, Birmingham, Blacksburg, incorporated into state and local EAS plans. Columbia, Fort Worth, Greenville- Spartanburg, Jackson (MS), Raleigh, San Storm Surge Warning Antonio and Shreveport. Event Code /SSW/ NWS will request EAS activations using the EWW Event Code /EWW/. NWS will For the Gulf and East coasts, NWS will issue broadcast on NWR and disseminate using the the Storm Surge Warning for the danger of Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) and life-threatening inundation from rising water 1050 Hz warning alarm tones. moving inland within the specified area, generally within 36 hours, associated with a tropical, subtropical or post-tropical cyclone.

NWS may issue a warning early when other requests EAS activation using the new Event conditions, such as the onset of tropical Codes, the EAS encoder/decoder equipment storm-force winds, are expected to reduce will usually decode the information received the time available to take protective actions, as an “UNKNOWN” Event Code and the EAS such as evacuations. NWS may also issue this will not automatically activate. warning for locations not expected to receive life-threatening inundation but could Existing SAME receivers, including potentially be isolated by inundation in Public AlertTM receivers, will process adjacent areas. the new event codes.

WFOs will request EAS activation using the For those receivers providing a limited, SSW Event Code. NWS will broadcast Storm caption-like message display, the receiver will Surge Warnings on NWR and disseminate likely show wording such as “UNKNOWN using the SAME and 1050 Hz warning WATCH” or “UNKNOWN WARNING;” alarm tones. however, NWR SAME and Public AlertTM receivers should activate. NWR tone alert Local NWS offices are now reaching out to receivers should activate with the 1050 Hz their respective State and Local Emergency tone for the warnings. NWS Headquarters Communications Committees, state will work with the receiver manufacturers to emergency management agencies and ensure the new codes are added to newly broadcaster associations to answer questions manufactured receivers. and assist with the implementing the new Event Codes. To keep you updated about Please direct any dissemination questions to watch, warning and EAS changes in your area, Tim Schott, NWS Dissemination Services, at your local WFO may issue Public Information [email protected] or 301-427-9336; Statements and Service Change Notices, policy questions to Jessica Schauer, NWS update web pages, and air Public Service Tropical Services Program Leader, at Announcements over NWR. [email protected] or 305-229-4476; or contact the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at your local WFO for more detailed information. WCM contact information is provided at: www.stormready.noaa.gov/contact.shtml

Related Websites

Broadcasters’ EAS encoder/decoder NWS Home Page: equipment must be updated to implement www.weather.gov/ the new Event Codes, generally through National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov/ firmware and/or software updates. NHC Frequently Asked Questions:

www.nhc.noaa.gov/easfaq/ Broadcasters in geographic areas potentially NWR Home Page: impacted by tropical cyclones should contact www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/ their EAS equipment manufacturer if they NWS EAS Information need instructions for updating equipment. If www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/info/eas_description.html EAS equipment is not updated and the WFO 030117