TADD High Water Mark Signs 4 th Regional Severe Storms/Radar/Hydrology Conference August 14, 2009 Shreveport, LA Tracy Howieson Southern Region Headquarters

Turn Around Don’t Drown (TADD) Signs

WFO/RFC educate local communities on TADD initiative WFO/RFC educate local communities on TADD initiative TADD Signs purchased by local community/county TADD Signs purchased by local community/county Available wherever they purchase DOT approved road signs (i.e., Stop Signs, etc.) Available wherever they purchase DOT approved road signs (i.e., Stop Signs, etc.) Raises Public Awareness of Flood Hazards Raises Public Awareness of Flood Hazards TADD Project Goals

DOT Approved Road Signs DOT Approved Road Signs Sign Guidelines can be found at: Sign Guidelines can be found at: Available Signs: Available Signs: Incident Sign (magenta) Incident Sign (magenta) Warning Sign (yellow) Warning Sign (yellow) TADD Signs

Goal: Goal: Provide “seed” signs to WFO/RFC to spark community interest in purchasing/displaying TADD signs. Provide “seed” signs to WFO/RFC to spark community interest in purchasing/displaying TADD signs. 100 TADD Signs Purchased 100 TADD Signs Purchased 60 Signs Still Available 60 Signs Still Available Available at the request of WFO/RFC Available at the request of WFO/RFC NWS-HQ TADD Sign Project

 To Obtain NWS-HQ TADD Signs: ◦ WFO/RFC coordinate with local community on potentially installing these signs ◦ WFO/RFC provide photos and documentation of potential sign locations ◦ Information posted to TADD Toolbox ◦ Success Stories and News from Across the Country ◦ WFO/RFC provide requested documentation to NWS-HQ ◦ NWS-HQ will disseminate signs to WFO/RFC. ◦ Signs available on a first come-first serve basis NWS-HQ TADD Sign Project

High Water Mark Sign Project

Goals of High Water Mark Signs Public Education and Outreach Public Education and Outreach Commemorate historic floods Commemorate historic floods Raise awareness of local flood risk for newcomers and future generations Raise awareness of local flood risk for newcomers and future generations Provide information on where people may learn more about local flood threat Provide information on where people may learn more about local flood threat

History of High Water Mark Sign Project High water mark (HWM) signs recommended by USGS/NWS Workgroup, 1997 High water mark (HWM) signs recommended by USGS/NWS Workgroup, 1997 NWS’s Southeast River Forecast Center began pilot project in 2006 NWS’s Southeast River Forecast Center began pilot project in 2006 First signs installed in Rome, GA (March 2007), Franklin, VA and Tarboro, NC (May 2007) First signs installed in Rome, GA (March 2007), Franklin, VA and Tarboro, NC (May 2007)

Example Wadley, AL

High Water Mark Sign Placement Local Weather Forecast Office consults with local emergency management officials to determine interest. Local Weather Forecast Office consults with local emergency management officials to determine interest. Emergency management officials coordinate with city/county/state government on sign placement. Emergency management officials coordinate with city/county/state government on sign placement. Installation easiest on government property. Installation easiest on government property.

High Water Mark Sign Installation High water mark may be surveyed in from river gauge by USGS and NWS personnel. High water mark may be surveyed in from river gauge by USGS and NWS personnel. High water mark may be based on local history if height is well-established. High water mark may be based on local history if height is well-established. Signs are generally installed on buildings for maximum impact. Signs are generally installed on buildings for maximum impact. Signs may also be installed on posts in well- traveled public areas. Signs may also be installed on posts in well- traveled public areas.

Completed Installations MS: Jackson MS: Jackson AL: Wadley AL: Wadley GA: Rome GA: Rome SC: Conway SC: Conway NC: Snow Hill, Pollocksville, Tarboro, Belhaven, Greenville, Kinston NC: Snow Hill, Pollocksville, Tarboro, Belhaven, Greenville, Kinston VA: Franklin VA: Franklin

Planned Installations and Jefferson, TX Jefferson, TX Big Cypress Bayou Big Cypress Bayou Victoria, TX Victoria, TX Guadalupe River Guadalupe River Orange, TX (??) Orange, TX (??) Sabine River Sabine River 2010 Shreveport, LA Red River Monroe, LA Ouachita River

Signs can Reference: Inland Flooding from Tropical Systems Kinston, NC

Signs can Reference: Riverine Flooding Wadley, AL

Location of HWM Line Flexible Greenville, NC

High Water Mark Sign Unveiling Ceremonies

High Water Mark Sign Project For more information about obtaining a high water mark sign for your community, please contact your local National Weather Service Forecast Office. For more information about obtaining a high water mark sign for your community, please contact your local National Weather Service Forecast Office.

Questions??

 Southern Region HSB ◦ Ben Weiger (Project Lead)   (817) x118 ◦ Tracy Howieson   (817) x 120  TADD Toolbox ◦ Project Contacts/Website