Severe thunderstorm warning.
Scenario 1 – The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the following areas: Carol County, Bobsville, and surrounding areas until 2100. "Atmospheric Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms (i.e. – producing hail at least 1" in diameter and/or 50 knots (58 MPH) or greater wind speeds." "Please prepare for the storms and any subsequent watches or warnings that will be issued."
1. What do you do? (Role Specific)
2. What role did you play?
3. What actions did you initiate (provide a minimum of 3)?
4. Were there any obstacles presented?
5. What was the outcome of your actions?
6. How does this contribute to the overall preparedness/response effort?
Please review the YouTube video on a severe thunderstorm warning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B835ztL7HvM
Examples Below of Assignment A
1. What role did you play? Emergency Manager
2. What do you do? I would activate the COOP. this way we have the leaders of different divisions of the city and county in one place to discuss what we need to do and potentially activate the Emergency Operations Plans for the cities and the county.
3. What actions did you initiate (provide a minimum of 3)? First, I would make notifications to the heads of all municipal and county departments to advise them of what is happening. Secondly, I would suggest cease all non-emergency operations. I would advise that schools should be ready for an early dismissal should it come to that; I would advise the mayor and county manager that all non-essential city and county employees should be prepared to leave work early if the watch is upgraded. I would contact all first responder agencies to prepare for the possible severe weather, just in case. I would contact the utility companies as well, to make sure they were prepared for the worst. Thirdly, I would establish the shelters and get them opened and ready to receive city and county residents who have no place safe to go to. I would also ensure the watch has been issued and is being announced via radio and tv, like it should be.
4. Were there any obstacles presented? As far as a Thunderstorm watch is concerned, I do not see any potential issues at this point. We are waiting to see what develops out of the Watch or if it is upgraded.
5. What was the outcome of your actions? The outcome is that the city and county departments are aware of the thunderstorm watch and are ready to cease all nonemergent operations and allow all non-essential personnel to leave if the watch is upgraded, since they are ready for that scenario.
6. How does this contribute to the overall preparedness/response effort? This would contribute to the preparedness/response effort because each department in the cities and county would already be in the prepared mode. So, those at work or at home would already be anticipating an upgraded to a warning or possible emergency, therefore, helping in the response area, because they have already activated their EOP’s and are ready.
Sample Solution
Role: I am the Emergency Manager for Carol County and Bobsville.
Actions:
- I would activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This is a designated facility where emergency response personnel can gather to coordinate their efforts.
- I would notify the public of the severe thunderstorm watch and the potential dangers. This would be done through the media, social media, and the county's website.
- I would work with law enforcement to close roads and other areas that may be dangerous due to the severe weather.
Full Answer Section
- I would coordinate with the National Weather Service to get the latest information on the storm.
- I would monitor the situation closely and be prepared to take further action if necessary.
Obstacles:
- The weather may change rapidly, making it difficult to predict the exact path of the storm.
- There may be power outages, which could hamper communication and coordination efforts.
- People may not heed the warnings and take the necessary precautions.
Outcome:
- The public would be aware of the severe thunderstorm watch and the potential dangers.
- Law enforcement would be able to close roads and other areas that may be dangerous.
- Emergency response personnel would be able to coordinate their efforts effectively.
- The damage from the storm would be minimized.
Contribution to overall preparedness/response effort:
By activating the EOC and taking other steps to prepare for the severe thunderstorm watch, I would be contributing to the overall preparedness/response effort. This would help to ensure that the public is safe and that the damage from the storm is minimized.
Here are some additional things I would do as the Emergency Manager:
- I would make sure that all of the county's emergency response plans are up to date and that everyone knows their role in the event of a severe thunderstorm.
- I would work with local businesses and schools to make sure that they have plans in place to keep their employees and students safe.
- I would provide regular updates to the public on the status of the storm and the response efforts.
I would also be available 24/7 to a