1 NOAA Weather Radio Operational Guide Background Information: Dallas County Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) has purchased a limited number of NOAA Weather Radio devices and placed them at strategic county facilities located throughout Dallas County. These radios should be monitored by identified county staff and tested periodically to ensure they are in proper working condition. This radio will provide emergency information that should be disseminated, to other employees in a timely manner, based on the department’s emergency plan. The radio should not be turned off and will not interrupt normal County business operations until an alert occurs. NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day. Known as the "voice of the National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Emergency and weather information will be sent directly to the NWR from NOAA. Types of Weather Alerts & Information That I Will Receive: NWR now broadcasts warning and post‐event information for all types of hazards both natural, such as earthquakes and volcanic activity, and technological, such as chemical releases or oil spills. Working with other Federal agencies and the Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Alert System, NWR is an "all hazards" radio network, making it your single source for the most comprehensive weather and emergency information available to the public. Weather radios are equipped with a special alarm tone feature that will sound an alert and give you immediate information about a life‐threatening situation. During an emergency, NWS forecasters will send out a special tone to activate weather radios in the listening area. The weather radio will better ensure you'll always have the up‐to‐date weather information, as well as access to potentially life‐saving emergency information whenever you need it. The weather radio provides instant access to the same weather reports and emergency information that meteorologists and emergency personnel use that can save your life! Dallas County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Phone: 214‐653‐7980 2 Weather Terminology I Will Hear May Include: Weather Watch: A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. Weather Warning: A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property. Severe Thunderstorm Watch: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. If thunderstorms are expected to be of sufficient strength, such that there is a significant risk that they may produce tornadoes, then a Tornado Watch (which also automatically implies that severe thunderstorms are possible) is issued. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch can also be upgraded to a Tornado Watch as conditions warrant (in which case the existing Severe Thunderstorm Watch, or a portion of it, would be replaced). A watch must not be confused with a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. A watch does not necessarily mean that severe weather is actually occurring; only that atmospheric conditions have created a significant risk for severe weather to occur. If severe weather actually does occur, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning will be issued, and urgent action should be taken immediately. While a Severe Thunderstorm Watch does not imply in its name the risk for tornadoes, the risk for tornadoes in such a scenario is not necessarily zero as severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do spawn tornadoes even after only a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued. Severe Thunderstorm Warning: A severe thunderstorm warning means there is significant danger for the warned area. Occasionally, severe thunderstorms can and do produce a tornado without warning. While not all severe thunderstorms produce tornadoes, they can produce serious straight line wind damage as severe as a tornado (and can actually cover a much wider area than a tornado). If a tornado is detected on radar or sighted, a tornado warning will be issued either in replacement of or concurrently to the existing severe thunderstorm warning. Generally, but not always, a severe thunderstorm watch or tornado watch will precede a warning. Tornado Warning: This is issued when a tornado is indicated by the radar or sighted by spotters; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. They can be issued without a Tornado Watch being already in effect. They are usually issued for duration of around 30 minutes. Dallas County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Phone: 214‐653‐7980 3 A Tornado Warning is issued by your local National Weather Forecast Office (NWFO). It will include where the tornado was located and what towns will be in its path. If the tornado will affect the near shore or coastal waters, it will be issued as the combined product‐‐Tornado Warning and Special Marine Warning. If the thunderstorm which is causing the tornado is also producing torrential rains, this warning may also be combined with a Flash Flood Warning. After it has been issued, the affected NWFO will follow it up periodically with Severe Weather Statements. These statements will contain updated information on the tornado and they will also let the public know when warning is no longer in effect. Tornado Watch: This is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their size can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety plans/procedures and be prepared to move to a place of safety if threatening weather approaches. A Tornado Watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma. Prior to the issuance of a Tornado Watch, SPC will usually contact the affected local National Weather Forecast Office (NWFO) and they will discuss what their current thinking is on the weather situation. Afterwards, SPC will issue a preliminary Tornado Watch and then the affected NWFO will then adjust the watch (adding or eliminating counties/parishes) and then issue it to the public. After adjusting the watch, the NWFO will let the public know which counties are included by way of a Watch Redefining Statement. During the watch, the NWFO will keep the public informed on what is happening in the watch area and also let the public know when the watch has expired or been cancelled. Urban Flood Watch or Warning: pavement which causes rapid runoff (rain can't soak into the ground so it runs downhill) and poor drainage can lead to flooded roadways and underpasses and even become deadly. Winter Storm Watch: This means there may be hazardous winter weather due to various elements such as heavy snow, sleet, or ice accumulation from freezing rain. In our region, heavy snow means 7 inches or more of accumulation in 24 hours or less. A "WATCH" is a long range prediction. They are issued at least 12 hours before the hazardous winter weather is expected to begin. When the storm becomes imminent, or has a high probability of occurring, the watch will be upgraded to a "WARNING". Winter Storm Warning: This is issued when a dangerous combination of heavy snow, with sleet and/or freezing rain, will occur or has a high probability of occurring within the next 12 hours. Dallas County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Phone: 214‐653‐7980 4 Wind Advisory: This is issued for average wind speeds between 31 and 39 miles an hour, or for frequent wind gusts between 46 and 57 miles an hour. Weather Radio Weekly Test: Every Wednesday between 11 am and Noon is the test of the NOAA Weather Radio tone‐alert system. This is true all across the country. Tests of the NOAA Weather Radio warning system will be canceled in situations where hazardous weather and warnings are already present in your listening area or are expected in the next couple hours. If you do not receive this test please check your radio to ensure it is operational. During a test, the yellow advisory LED will light up and the “Weekly Test” or “Monthly Test” message will be visible on the display. While disabled in the menu, the radio will not sound an audible alert tone to avoid giving the impression of an actual alarm. The visual response to the test is confirmation that your radio is working properly. Questions Regarding Weather Radio Set Up and Operations: You should refer to the owner’s manual that came with the NOAA Weather Radio for set up and operating instructions for the device. The device should be set for the Ft. Worth‐Dallas County weather operational area to ensure you receive the most appropriate and accurate weather information. If the device is properly located within your work area you should receive a clear broadcast when the device is turned on. Placement near a window usually improves reception. Avoidance of metal structures will help with reception. You may need to fully extend the antenna until the reception is at its peak. Typical broadcasts are within reception distance of 25‐40 miles of the weather broadcast station. Location, conditions of weather, and terrain effect the reception. If you find reception is not good in your area, try different locations in the office to find a spot of improved reception. On occasion, you should unplug the device from the electrical outlet to ensure the battery is in good condition. Batteries provide approximately 5 hours of emergency power or 75 hours of stand‐by power for the radio in case of a power outage. If you have questions about the set up or operation of the NOAA Weather Radio, please visit the Midland Radio website at https://midlandusa.com/weather‐radios/programming‐your‐radio/ or contact HSEM at 214‐653‐7980 and speak with the Logistics Section Chief. Dallas County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Phone: 214‐653‐7980 5 Your Department’s Role: HSEM has purchased the NOAA Weather Radio devices to assist your department/ division/office to better ensure you have real time weather and emergency information. You have the following roles: 1. Maintain the NOAA Weather Radio in proper working order and ensure the radio is turned on and ready to receive weather and emergency information. 2. Assign employees to maintain, test and monitor the radio. These employees should be ready and available to alert other employees when necessary. 3. When alerted, monitor weather and emergency information and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of your employees. This may include continuing to closely monitor weather conditions (in case of a watch) or take immediate action (in case of a warning). 4. Have a departmental emergency plan or procedure and follow it. 5. Train your employees on the plan during staff meetings or special training opportunities. 6. Exercise the plan periodically. 7. Ensure your department has identified a Departmental Safety Coordinator who can train new and current employees on your emergency plans and procedures. 8. Contact HSEM if you need assistance in identifying safe areas or need assistance with planning, training or exercises. 9. Ensure employees have access to additional employee emergency information located on the HSEM website under the “EMPLOYEE” tab. 10. Encourage department employees to purchase a NOAA Weather Radio for use in their homes as part of their family emergency plan. They can be purchased locally. Dallas County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Phone: 214‐653‐7980