Service Assessment Hurricane Irene, August
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Service Assessment Hurricane Irene, August 21–30, 2011 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Silver Spring, Maryland Cover Photographs: Top Left - NOAA GOES 13 visible image of Hurricane Irene taken at 12:32 UTC (8:32 a.m. EDT) on August 27, 2011, as it was moving northward along the east coast. Map of total storm rainfall for Hurricane Irene (NCEP/HPC) overlaid with photos of Hurricane Irene’s impacts. Clockwise from top right: • Damage to bridge over the Pemigewasset River/East Branch in Lincoln, NH (NH DOT) • Trees across road and utility lines in Guilford, CT (CT DEP) • Damage to homes from storm surge at Cosey Beach, East Haven, CT (CT DEP) • Flooding of Delaware River closes Rt. 29 in Trenton, NJ (State of New Jersey, Office of the Governor) • Damage from storm surge on North Carolina’s Outer Banks (USGS) • Damage to home from an EF1 tornado in Lewes, DE (Sussex County, DE EOC) • River flooding on Schoharie Creek near Lexington, NY (USGS) • Flood damage to historic covered bridge and road in Quechee, VT (FEMA) ii Service Assessment Hurricane Irene, August 21–30, 2011 September 2012 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Administrator National Weather Service Laura Furgione, Acting Assistant Administrator for Weather Services iii Preface On August 21-29, 2011, Hurricane Irene left a devastating imprint on the Caribbean and U.S. East Coast. The storm took the lives of more than 40 people, caused an estimated $6.5 billion in damages, unleashed major flooding, downed trees and power lines, and forced road closures, evacuations, and major rescue efforts. The effects of Hurricane Irene were felt from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, and as far west as the Catskill Mountains of New York. The storm produced widespread, devastating flooding in Vermont, New York, New Jersey, and parts of New Hampshire and damaging storm surge along the coasts of North Carolina and Connecticut. Hurricane Irene left 8 million people without power—some for as long as a week—and resulted in the closure of several major airports, the suspension of Amtrak train service, and the historic closure of the New York City mass transit system. In response to the significant effects of the event, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration formed a service assessment team to document and evaluate the performance and overall effectiveness of National Weather Service products and services, decision support, collaboration and communication, operational procedures, and preparedness activities. The NWS should thoroughly consider implementing the team’s recommendations as they are written; however, the organization may implement alternate solutions to resolve the findings and meet the intent of the service assessment team's recommendations. Alternate solutions may be implemented because they are, for example, more effective, more rapidly deployed, or less costly. The National Weather Service will use the findings and recommendations from this assessment to improve the quality of products and services, enhance awareness, and help guard the Nation against loss of life and property. Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary for Environmental Observation and Prediction Deputy Administrator National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 2012 iv Table of Contents Page Service Assessment Team ………………………………………………………………….….……..... ix Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ x 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. NWS Mission ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Purpose of Assessment ..................................................................................................... 1 1.3. Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.4. Social Science and Communication Issues ...................................................................... 3 2. Summary of Hydrometeorological Event ................................................................................. 4 2.1. Antecedent Conditions ..................................................................................................... 4 2.2. Track and Intensity ........................................................................................................... 5 2.3. Wind ................................................................................................................................. 6 2.4. Storm Surge ...................................................................................................................... 7 2.5. Rainfall ........................................................................................................................... 10 3. Impacts .................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1. Damage ........................................................................................................................... 12 3.2. Transportation ................................................................................................................. 13 4. Coordination/Collaboration .................................................................................................... 15 4.1. Internal ............................................................................................................................ 15 4.1.1. NWS and Other NOAA Offices ......................................................................... 15 4.1.2. Field Office and NHC ........................................................................................ 16 4.1.3. WFOs and RFCs ................................................................................................. 17 4.1.4. WFOs and Emergency Response Specialists ..................................................... 19 4.1.5. NWS Regional Headquarters with WFOs and RFCs ......................................... 19 4.2. Federal Partners .............................................................................................................. 20 4.2.1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ........................................... 20 4.2.2. USGS and USACE ............................................................................................. 23 4.3. Private Sector Collaboration ........................................................................................... 23 4.4. Foreign Governments ..................................................................................................... 24 4.5. Liaison Challenges ......................................................................................................... 24 4.5.1. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication Ceremony .......................... 24 4.6. Breakpoints ..................................................................................................................... 27 5. Resource Allocation ................................................................................................................ 29 5.1. Staffing ........................................................................................................................... 29 5.1.1. Prepositioning ..................................................................................................... 29 5.1.2. Scheduling .......................................................................................................... 30 5.1.3. Hiring .................................................................................................................. 31 5.2. Training Issues ................................................................................................................ 32 5.3. Service Backup ............................................................................................................... 35 5.4. Equipment and Technical Support ................................................................................. 37 5.4.1. Workstation Availability .................................................................................... 38 5.4.2. VSAT and OpsNet .............................................................................................. 39 5.5. Facilities ......................................................................................................................... 42 6. Decision Support Services ...................................................................................................... 43 v 6.1. Products .......................................................................................................................... 43 6.1.1. Inland Flood Warnings ....................................................................................... 43 6.1.2. Hurricane Local Statement ................................................................................. 46 6.1.3. Tropical Cyclone Watches and Warnings .......................................................... 47 6.1.4. Storm Surge ........................................................................................................ 50 6.1.5. Wind and Severe Weather .................................................................................