2 nws social_media_edited

Weather Situational Awareness

Weather Situational Awareness

Managing through an Weather Emergency

Managing through an Weather Emergency

Colorado Emergency Management ConferenceMarch 2, 2011

Nezette Rydell, Meteorologist in Charge, NWS BoulderRobert Glancy, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS BoulderTom Magnuson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS PuebloJim Pringle, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Grand Junction

June 10, 2010 near Last Chance Courtesy Mitch Farrell

You don’t ever have to be surprised by the weather!You don’t ever have to be surprised by the weather!

• We will be discussing:– NWSchat – talk to the NWS– Denver Emwin Project – – Social Media – what is NWS status?

• Twitter• Facebook

– Mesowest – checking weather observations– INWS – – Hascollect – – CocoRahs

• We will be discussing:– NWSchat – talk to the NWS– Denver Emwin Project – – Social Media – what is NWS status?

• Twitter• Facebook

– Mesowest – checking weather observations– INWS – – Hascollect – – CocoRahs

NWSchatNWSchat

• NWSChat = an NWS Instant Messaging program to share critical warning decision expertise and significant weather information essential to the NWS's mission of saving lives and property.

• Information is exchanged real-time with the media and emergency response community, who in turn play a key role in communicating the NWS's hazardous weather messages to the public.

• NWSChat = an NWS Instant Messaging program to share critical warning decision expertise and significant weather information essential to the NWS's mission of saving lives and property.

• Information is exchanged real-time with the media and emergency response community, who in turn play a key role in communicating the NWS's hazardous weather messages to the public.

What about the messaging part?What about the messaging part?

How to Join???www.nwschat.weather.gov

How to Join???www.nwschat.weather.gov

Denver Emwin Initiative Update

Denver Emwin Initiative Update

• NWS produces forecasts, watches, warnings, statements.

• Satellite download of NWS data at Adams County.

• Listserve managed by Urban Drainage where a person can sign up for delivery of NWS information to email, pagers, cell phones

• Portal for an emergency manager to request dissemination of Non weather Emergency Message by the NWS.

• NWS produces forecasts, watches, warnings, statements.

• Satellite download of NWS data at Adams County.

• Listserve managed by Urban Drainage where a person can sign up for delivery of NWS information to email, pagers, cell phones

• Portal for an emergency manager to request dissemination of Non weather Emergency Message by the NWS.

An example of a long version of warning to email

An example of a long version of warning to email

An example of a short version of a warning to cell phone or pager An example of a short version of a warning to cell phone or pager • NWS has issued a Tornado Warning for

Logan, Morgan & Washington Counties until 19:30 Mon

• NWS has issued a Tornado Warning for Logan, Morgan & Washington Counties until 19:30 Mon

Non Weather Emergency Messaging

Non Weather Emergency Messaging

• National Program: – Hazcollect will be discussed later.

• Local BOU program through Emwin: – Emergency manager can request

dissemination through password controlled website.

• National Program: – Hazcollect will be discussed later.

• Local BOU program through Emwin: – Emergency manager can request

dissemination through password controlled website.

Questionsand

Discussion ???

Questionsand

Discussion ???

MESOWESTWeather Observations

MESOWESTWeather Observations

http://mesowest.utah.edu/index.html

Weather ObservationsCurrent & Archived


Weather ObservationsArchived


Select the next day – i.e. “24” if you want the 23rd



The entire KPSO data set for November 23, 2010



http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/roman/index_states.html

Weather ObservationsCurrent – by county or zone

Weather ObservationsCurrent – by county or zone

Make sure you select “All Networks” !

Mobile Decision Support Service (iNWS)http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov

(Experimental)

Mobile Decision Support Service (iNWS)http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov

(Experimental)

• Intended to improve decision support for high impact events• Experimental service only for NWS core Partners, including emergency managers• No subscription cost to emergency manager, except for normal SMS charges by wireless provider

http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/

http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/

Emerging Mobile Alert TechnologiesEmerging Mobile Alert Technologies

iNWS

•Serves community decision leaders.

•Provides information relevant to user defined areas.

•Users receive alerts based on the NWS products to which they subscribe.

•SMS message length up to 160 characters

•Embedded URLs link to more information (e.g., full text product, expected impacts, graphical outline of warning area, track of storm, radar image, etc.)

iNWS

•Serves community decision leaders.

•Provides information relevant to user defined areas.

•Users receive alerts based on the NWS products to which they subscribe.

•SMS message length up to 160 characters

•Embedded URLs link to more information (e.g., full text product, expected impacts, graphical outline of warning area, track of storm, radar image, etc.)

IPAWS/CMAS

•Serves the general public.

•Provides information relevant to the user’s current location)

•Users only receive alerts for “imminent threats.”

•First version of CMAS will limit message length to 90 characters.

•First version of CMAS will not allow embedded links to supporting information. Capabilities of future versions have not yet been determined.

IPAWS/CMAS

•Serves the general public.

•Provides information relevant to the user’s current location)

•Users only receive alerts for “imminent threats.”

•First version of CMAS will limit message length to 90 characters.

•First version of CMAS will not allow embedded links to supporting information. Capabilities of future versions have not yet been determined.

Experimental Mobile Decision Support Service (iNWS)http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov


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Email/SMS message with• Headline • Hyperlink to supporting

information

Example:

New event. Tornado Warning from 5/10/2010 8:54 PM to 9:45 PM CDT for OK-test. More information

iNWS will evolve as NWS works with social scientists to improve decision support for the EM community

http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov/weather/alertinfo/26305



Click on “View More”

HAZHAZCollectCollectSpeeding Emergency messages to the public

sNon-Weather Emergency Message (NWEM)sNon-Weather Emergency Message (NWEM)

AVA - Avalanche WatchAVW - Avalanche WarningCAE - Child Abduction Emergency (Amber Alert)CDW - Civil Danger WarningCEM - Civil Emergency MessageEQW - Earthquake WarningEVI - Evacuation ImmediateFRW - Fire WarningHMW - Hazardous Materials WarningLEW - Law Enforcement WarningLAE - Local Area EmergencyTOE - 911 Telephone OutageNUW - Nuclear Power Plant WarningRHW - Radiological Hazard WarningSPW - Shelter in Place WarningVOW - Volcano Warning

NWEM ExampleNWEM ExampleTHE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS BEING TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE (YOUR COUNTY or TOWN) OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

...SHELTER-IN-PLACE WARNING FOR (LOCATION)...

AIRBORNE TOXINS RELEASED THIS AFTERNOON IN THE VICINITY OF (LOCATION) POSE A DANGEROUS RESPIRATORY RISK . YOU ARE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS WITH WINDOWS CLOSED AND AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTION FROM AUTHORITIES. IF YOU NEED HELP OR MORE INFORMATION…CALL THE (YOUR COUNTY) HEALTH DEPARTMENT HOTLINE AT 555-111-2222. TO REQUEST IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE...DIAL 911. TUNE TO LOCAL RADIO AND TV… OR CABLE TV… FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS EMERGENCY.

HAZCollect Web SitesHAZCollect Web Sites

Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Management Interoperability Services

http://www.disasterhelp.gov/disastermanagement

Register at this site to establish your DMIS COG and to download DMIS Tools Software

Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Management Interoperability Services

http://www.disasterhelp.gov/disastermanagement

Register at this site to establish your DMIS COG and to download DMIS Tools Software

National Weather Service - HazCollect http://www.weather.gov/os/HazCollect

Register at this site to obtain approval to use HazCollect

Community Collaborative Rain Hail, and Snow Network

Community Collaborative Rain Hail, and Snow Network

http://www.cocorahs.org

Educational Program – Statewide Students of all ages All schools

2012 – 75th anniversary State of CO law that created the Colorado Water Conservation Board

Developed by – CSU – Nolan Doesken CoCoRaHS

School Year Promotions2011-20122012-2013

Colorado Celebrates Water in 2012

Social Media…WebEOC and the National Weather Service

in Pueblo

Social Media…WebEOC and the National Weather Service

in Pueblo

Tom Magnuson

WCM Pueblo, Colo.

Tom Magnuson

WCM Pueblo, Colo.

- WFO Pueblo has been monitoring and posting to it for several months.

- We asked State to customize a display for us to make monitoring easier. Came up with an embedded board, with audible alert when posts are made.

- Some staff have given State their personal emails for mobile device message alerts.

- WFO Pueblo has been monitoring and posting to it for several months.

- We asked State to customize a display for us to make monitoring easier. Came up with an embedded board, with audible alert when posts are made.

- Some staff have given State their personal emails for mobile device message alerts.

WebEOCWebEOC

WebEOCWebEOC

Staying Connected with NWS Social Media and Alerting Technologies

Staying Connected with NWS Social Media and Alerting Technologies

NWS ServicesPast and Present

NWS ServicesPast and Present

Legacy NWS Communications Model

Info Forecaster Products

The world is changing!The world is changing!

myspace

Services 2020Extending capabilities with new technologies

Services 2020Extending capabilities with new technologies

Info Forecaster Products and Services

Multimedia WebBriefing

ConferenceCalls

IC CenterOn-site

IC Incident On-site

Engagement in Social MediaMeasured by Facebook Fans/Likes

Engagement in Social MediaMeasured by Facebook Fans/Likes

White House 328,000 780,000 138%

Marine Corps 83,000 613,000 639%

Army 49,000 478,000 976%

CDC 21,000 62,000 195%

State Department 16,000 52,000 225%

NASA 8,000 144,000 1700%

NWS No presence 32,000 180% (est)

White House 328,000 780,000 138%

Marine Corps 83,000 613,000 639%

Army 49,000 478,000 976%

CDC 21,000 62,000 195%

State Department 16,000 52,000 225%

NASA 8,000 144,000 1700%

NWS No presence 32,000 180% (est)

50

September 2009 October 2010 Growth

Source: Government Computer News, September 14, 2009 and Facebook

Social Scientists Say:Social Scientists Say:

• It is not enough to alert people. Our communication must be transactional. -- National Academies Workshop on Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on Mobile Devices (April 13, 2010)

Merriam-Webster defines transaction as “a communicative action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other.”

• It is not enough to alert people. Our communication must be transactional. -- National Academies Workshop on Public Response to Alerts and Warnings on Mobile Devices (April 13, 2010)

Merriam-Webster defines transaction as “a communicative action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other.”

Federal Government Says:Federal Government Says:

“One person can take a photo. One person can post a message …and it changes all our understanding of a situation immediately.”

-- Macon Phillips, Director of New Media for the White HouseEmergency Social Data Summit (August 12, 2010)

“Social media can empower the public to be part of the response, not as victims to be taken care of.“

-- Craig Fugate, FEMA AdministratorEmergency Social Data Summit (August 12, 2010)

“One person can take a photo. One person can post a message …and it changes all our understanding of a situation immediately.”

-- Macon Phillips, Director of New Media for the White HouseEmergency Social Data Summit (August 12, 2010)

“Social media can empower the public to be part of the response, not as victims to be taken care of.“

-- Craig Fugate, FEMA AdministratorEmergency Social Data Summit (August 12, 2010)

General Public’s ExpectationsGeneral Public’s Expectations

• 20% would turn to social media for help if unable to reach 911

• 75% of those would expect a response in less than an hour

• If web users knew of someone else who needed help– 45% would ask other people in their social network to contact authorities– 35% would post request for help directly on a response agency’s Facebook page– 30% would send a direct Twitter message to responders

• 70% say emergency responders should be monitoring social media sites in order to quickly send help

• Nearly 50% believe a response agency is probably already responding to any urgent request they might see

• 20% would turn to social media for help if unable to reach 911

• 75% of those would expect a response in less than an hour

• If web users knew of someone else who needed help– 45% would ask other people in their social network to contact authorities– 35% would post request for help directly on a response agency’s Facebook page– 30% would send a direct Twitter message to responders

• 70% say emergency responders should be monitoring social media sites in order to quickly send help

• Nearly 50% believe a response agency is probably already responding to any urgent request they might see

*Red Cross Press Release - Web Users Increasingly Rely on Social Media to Seek Help in a Disaster*Red Cross Press Release - Web Users Increasingly Rely on Social Media to Seek Help in a Disaster

NWS Service Assessments:NWS Service Assessments:

• “Another important factor in how people respond to warnings is whether or not they personalize the threat. Several people specifically noted the need to seek confirmation of a warning...This event illustrates how people may require multiple sources of information throughout their decision making process to assess their personal risk, and how a single source of information will not necessarily spur protective action.”

-- Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008

• “Continue to investigate use of social networking tools as complementary dissemination media.”

-- Mother’s Day Weekend Tornadoes of May 10, 2008

• “Another important factor in how people respond to warnings is whether or not they personalize the threat. Several people specifically noted the need to seek confirmation of a warning...This event illustrates how people may require multiple sources of information throughout their decision making process to assess their personal risk, and how a single source of information will not necessarily spur protective action.”

-- Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of February 5-6, 2008

• “Continue to investigate use of social networking tools as complementary dissemination media.”

-- Mother’s Day Weekend Tornadoes of May 10, 2008

NWS Social Media presence NWS Social Media presence

• NWSChat

• GoTo/Webex briefings

• Twitter Storm Reports

• Facebook

• AddThis

• NWSChat

• GoTo/Webex briefings

• Twitter Storm Reports

• Facebook

• AddThis

NWS Twitter presence NWS Twitter presence

• NWS offices are not allowed to have “official” Twitter accts where we “tweet” info.

• WFO Pueblo does monitor Twitter via Tweetdeck

• We monitor our local media, traffic management, CDOT, law enforcement, fire, EMs, CAIC, etc.

• NWS offices are not allowed to have “official” Twitter accts where we “tweet” info.

• WFO Pueblo does monitor Twitter via Tweetdeck

• We monitor our local media, traffic management, CDOT, law enforcement, fire, EMs, CAIC, etc.

NWS Twitter usage NWS Twitter usage Tweetdeck Tweetdeck

Situational AwarenessSituational Awareness

Twitter Storm Reports TidbitsTwitter Storm Reports Tidbits

• Anyone can send #wxreport tweets

• Anyone can retrieve, view and plot #wxreport tweets

• Three hash tags help NWS sort through tweeted weather data

– #wxreport to report significant weather you witness

– #wxob to report benign weather you witness (yes people like to tweet "sunny and clear here")

– #cowx to pass along weather info across Colorado

• Anyone can send #wxreport tweets

• Anyone can retrieve, view and plot #wxreport tweets

• Three hash tags help NWS sort through tweeted weather data

– #wxreport to report significant weather you witness

– #wxob to report benign weather you witness (yes people like to tweet "sunny and clear here")

– #cowx to pass along weather info across Colorado

NWS’ Internal Tool for Plotting Twitter Storm Reports

Publicly Accessible Twitter Plotting Page (not an NWS web site)

http://mybrowncouch.com/codenoobs/examples/NWSTwitter/

At select NWS Offices•Fort Worth, Texas•Seattle, Washington•Kansas City, Missouri•New York City, New York•Honolulu, Hawaii•North Central River Forecast Center•National Hurricane Center•Alaska Region

Nationwide deployment decision to follow.

Content is a mix of "heads-up" information, outreach, news,preparedness, weather facts, etc.

Not just a repeat of the string of products we disseminate via the Web, etc. About 2 to 10 postings per day, so as not to overwhelm "fans" with content

"Heads-up" content will lead “Fans" to more information on NWS Web pages

NWS office Facebook pagesExperiment underway

NWS office Facebook pagesExperiment underway

AddThisSocial bookmarking service


• AddThis allows you to bookmark an item of interest on an NWS web site to your own social media service

• Powerful tool for allowing information to quickly become “viral”

• AddThis allows you to bookmark an item of interest on an NWS web site to your own social media service

• Powerful tool for allowing information to quickly become “viral”

SummarySummary

• NWS is taking an “information centric” approach to emerging technologies

• Focus of use is on key partners– You can strengthen your NWS

connections today!

• Transactional communication of warning information is important for the 21st Century

• NWS is taking an “information centric” approach to emerging technologies

• Focus of use is on key partners– You can strengthen your NWS

connections today!

• Transactional communication of warning information is important for the 21st Century

Questionsand

Discussion ???

Questionsand

Discussion ???

2 nws social_media_edited

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