Prevention of Unnecessary

Storm Deaths
National Weather Service

Andrew Schlesinger

March 4th, 2018


Content

Content 1
Abstract 3
Deaths Associated with Storms 3
Where the deaths come from 3
Prediction Models & Warning systems 3
Citizen Preparation 4
Death Prevention Techniques 4
Death Mitigation 4
Prediction Models & Warning systems 5
Citizen Preparation 5
Predicted Effects of the techniques 6
Where the deaths come from 6
Prediction Models & Warning systems 6
Citizen Preparation 6
Conclusion 7
References 8
Abstract
The following research and analysis has been compiled to determine ways and
areas of improvement to death tolls that are incurred with storms. This being
hurricanes, cyclones, thunder, and winter storms (NWS Analyze). We as an
organization want to hold accountable the issues at hand instead of masking their
true cause. Along with eradicating deaths that happen from theses natural
phenomenon that are so prevalent in every corner of our country. We aim to
inform the general public along with state and local government entities to the
best practices on preparing their communities for extreme weather conditions,
responding to those citizens that are in need of help, and informing their citizens
on the best practices that should be used in preparing for these sever weather
events. In the end, we hope that people take our warnings and advice to a true
and practical meaning that eventually will make storm deaths a thing of the past.

Deaths Associated with Storms

Where the deaths come from
According to recent studies done, we have found that a lot of deaths due to sever
natural weather are from external causes other than a storm event like a
hurricane or thunderstorm. Many deaths are attributed to storms days after the
actual storm passing and even in cases of hurricanes days before land fall. These
causes are obscure to many because people do not anticipate carbon monoxide
poisoning, falling limbs, flood waters, and electrocution when shielding
themselves and family members away from these harmful effects of storms
(Chronicle).

Prediction Models & Warning systems

As weather services like ours try our best in accurately predicting the way and
server weather events that might happen, we do not always know exactly what
will happen. The problem lies within our tools that we use to predict and
processes to justify our estimations in the days ahead of a storm and minutes
ahead of tornados. We have come a very long way from where we used to be but
the technology still needs to quickly advance from where it currently resides.
These systems continue to grow and every year we have more and more data
flowing into the current production models that will allow for better prediction.
The reason there is a need to improve these system is so we can provide a more
advanced notice for the citizens in the path of a hurricane, tornado, or flood
waters. If we could tell citizens in the path of a tornado to evacuate the area
within the next thirty minutes and go to a predetermined location, this would get
people completely out of harm’s way instead of allowing people to shelter in
place. The could remove them from the path of something that is capable of
ripping a building from around them. The more time we can give people to plan
their evacuation would allow them to find a place for them to stay, find the
funding, and as find accommodations for pets and animals that can have been left
behind during storm situations. These problems are a pivotal part in stopping
many storm related deaths.

Citizen Preparation
Another area of concern when it comes to storm related deaths are
because of the populist is not adequately prepared. Most citizens find themselves
prepared for small inconveniences of living in a first world country like the power
being out for a couple hours. Most forget to prepare for the possibility of
evacuating, flooding, multiple days without water or electricity, and complete
dwelling loss. This leaves a major gaps and a lot of people with the possibility to
be stranded or even killed because they do not leave during an evacuation or a
flooding situation. Another thing that citizens are unprepared for are with
gathering the right supplies that could be needed to survive and the disaster
situations above. Also, citizen have not been properly warned with the dangers of
curtain activities in these situations with examples being driving in flood waters,
dealing with downed power lines, and dealing with fallen trees. All of these
concerns tend to be where our citizens are unaware of and have issues dealing
with these types of situations.

Death Prevention Techniques

Death Mitigation
One of the main ways to mitigate these issues as an organization is to have the
weather stations and radio stations when informing their audience about an
upcoming storm system they should also advise on ways they can protect
themselves before, during, and after the event. We believe these media outlets
should also be responsible to inform the people that it is still possible to have
damage to trees and other objects that could fall days before as the storm cells
are moving in along with options for shelters if needed and how people can get
access to them.

Prediction Models & Warning systems

The national weather service will be implementing tri-platform attack to
completing our goals in providing more advanced models for the nation and it
citizens. The first step that we as an organization will be doing is upgrading all our
current systems to the state of the art with the most advance computational
power, data collection, and weather sensing equipment. The organization will also
be having the board approve a yearly spending budget that will keep our
computer systems in excellent shape. The second step in our attack to improve
technology faster is by providing a fund every year to extraordinary research that
could lead to a breakthrough in data gathering and algorithm optimization.
Donating this money yearly will allow more breakthroughs within the prediction
model and warning system that we currently have. The final stage of improving
our prediction technology is the organization will be creating a college level
competition on advancing computer based prediction algorithms. Also the
competition will have another category that will allow teams of college students
to compete at the same event with the main goal of having these students invent,
design, and build their own systems that will improve our weather prediction
systems and processes.

Citizen Preparation
The main solution for citizen preparation would be to educate them on each
different topic. We want to start an initiative to have science teachers talk about
the dangers of storms along with other issues that can be caused by them. We
want the students to be prepared for every possible issue they could come across.
This would allow things to slowly change overtime with the younger generation
leading the charge to make sure their parents are following the correct ways of
staying safe. One example would be to have the students fill out a disaster
preparedness worksheet that they would take home to their parents. This
worksheet would ask about evacuation plans, home loss plans, and food and
medical supplies that are stored. Another thing that we want to initiate is an
educational advertisement that will be shown during peak storm seasons that
way repetitive information coming from several different commercial outlet will
be able to drill home the safety measures that should be put into place.
Predicted Effects of the techniques
Where the deaths come from
The solution that was chosen is aimed at informing the public about how they
should be acting and preparing for these weather events days before it is
expected to happen. This is in hopes that the public become more aware of the
impending storms that could cause issues and that they themselves and family
are prepared for the storm. The goal is to get the warnings out multiple days in
advance so that people can preplan their weeks around severe storms and staying
in a safe place would allow emergency crews to get where they are needed
without hindrance.

Prediction Models & Warning systems

The three-stage method that has been discussed in earlier parts of this document
will allow for us as an organization to lead the charge in the advancement of our
prediction technology. It will give us a short-term side effect of getting new
equipment in our main offices to complete our jobs and better serve our get
nation that we have been tasked with protecting. The second will allow us to be a
part of the cutting-edge research that is happening to advance the way the
national weather service does things as an agency with respects to predicting
mother nature and the storms she creates. The third and final stage will also
allow us to be on the cutting-edge of research, but it will also give us access to
some of the brightest minds currently on the job market that we will be able to
higher directly out of college after competing within this competition. Along with
allowing students to think and engineer improving technology with our goals in
mind. These three brand new initiatives will allow for a thrust into the future and
allow for better possibilities at stopping casualties from storms that ultimately can
be avoided.

Citizen Preparation
With the two-phase educational approach in mind it will improve the general and
overall knowledge of the populous on how to be prepared for multiple types and
possible storm situations that could arise in their region of habitation. This will
help people become more aware of the possibilities that a disaster or bad
weather has more affects then the prudent one and make them plan ahead of
time. Also, it will give allow people to fix issues around their home with more
caution and a more informed way of handling curtain situations like flood waters
and along with downed powerlines. This will greatly reduce people from dying
from drowning after their cars have been swept away by the current and from
electrocution for the power lines.

Conclusion
With the hope that completing this research and implementing these multiple
solutions and strategies. We as an organization and country can limit or
exterminate the possibility of storm deaths before, during, and after in relation to
severe storms or hurricanes. As an advanced society that has the capabilities,
technology, and resources we should be able to achieve these goals.
References
 Chronicle, Houston. “Six Easily Avoidable Ways People Die After
Hurricanes.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 30 Oct. 2012,
www.businessinsider.com/avoidable-ways-people-die-in-hurricanes-2012-
10.
 NWS Analyze, Forecast and Support Office. “NWS Analyze, Forecast and
Support Office.” National Weather Service, 1 Jan. 2001,
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml.
 Withington, John. Storm. Reaktion Books, 2016.