1 Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT) June 3, 2010 Gulf States Hurricane Conference Steve Dumovich, Fire Chief (ret.) Hurricane Program Manager FEMA Region 6 Denton, TX

What is the HLT?  The HLT is a team of fulltime FEMA employees and Disaster reservists and National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists and/or hydrologists.  The HLT members represent the five hurricane regions- FEMA Region 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6  The mission of the HLT is to support hurricane response operations and decision-making by local, State and Federal officials through the rapid and accurate exchange of information between the NHC, the NWS and the emergency management community.  The HLT interacts primarily with the state EOC and the Region. States are encouraged to contact their state EOC representative.

HLT Responsibilities  Establish and facilitate video and/or teleconferences between FEMA, the NHC (Miami, FL), other National Weather Service (NWS) offices/centers and State Emergency Operations Center (EOC).  Obtain and make available the latest information on the status of the storm to all authorized government agencies and respond to specific requests for such information.  Direct meteorological questions, issues and concerns from any emergency management officials to NHC Hurricane Specialists or Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs), as appropriate.  Solicit and relay emergency management issues, needs and concerns to NHC Hurricane Specialists and appropriate WFOs in real time.  Develop and maintain up-to-date internet website information on the storm for use by emergency management agencies and the general public.

Deploying the HLT  Region 6 has several individuals listed on the HLT roster.  Upon request from FEMA-HQ and the NHC, one member of the Region’s team will deploy to the NHC. (Funding for the deployment is managed by FEMA’s National Hurricane Program)  NHC-HLT consists of:  Hurricane Manager (FEMA-PFT assigned to NHC)  Regional Team Leader (FEMA Region Representative)  HLT Specialist (FEMA Region Representative)  Technical Service Specialist (FEMA Mt. Weather)  Meteorologist/Hydrologist (NOAA-NWS)  Regional Risk Analyst (FEMA or NWS at the Region RRCC)

Region 6 Trigger Points

Trigger Point 0 HLT Activation H144+  NHC identifies a developing tropical cyclone  Alert HLT for deployment  Monitor storm’s track  Liaison with the Region’s Sit Unit, SRH and WFO  Issue deployment order to HLT members  Deploy HLT to NHC per HQ policy and procedure

Trigger Point 1 Deployment H minus  Monitor storm track  Run initial HURREVAC model  Establish communication with NWS-SRH, WFO and Sit Unit in Region upon arrival at NHC  HLT provides frequent updates to Region Sit Unit

HLT Updates  Position  Track  Forward speed  Intensity  Size of Wind Field  Storm Surge Potential  Rainfall and Flooding Potential

HLT Updates (cont.)  Inland Winds and Tornado Potential  Possibilities for Landfall  Meteorological Discussions  Hurricane Local Statements from WFO  Reports from Hurricane Hunter Aircraft

HURREVAC

Trigger Point 2 Staging/Evac H minus  Monitor storm track and development  Monitor HURREVAC including evacuation times  Run initial SLOSH models  Maintain situational awareness with affected Region’s Sit Unit, State and local EM’s and SRH and WFO

SLOSH Basin Map

Trigger Point 3 Evac/Shelter H minus  Monitor storm track including Category and potential surge  Monitor HURREVAC including evacuation times  Monitor SLOSH models  Maintain situational awareness with affected Region’s Sit Unit, State and local EM’s and SRH and WFO

SLOSH

Trigger Point 4 Force Protection H minus 30-landfall  Define storm’s landfall and potential impact  Report surge potential  Report changes as necessary

HURREVAC

SLOSH

Sea Surface Temperatures