1. “America’s Weather Enterprise: Protecting Lives, Livelihoods, and Your Way of Life” Scott A. Carter NOAA Office of Legislative Affairs National Weather Service Issues Congressional Hazards Caucus Alliance April 5, 2006 Washington, D.C.

2. “America’s Weather Enterprise: Protecting Lives, Livelihoods, and Your Way of Life” 2 About the National Weather Service Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather Provides climate, water, weather forecasts and warnings to protect life and property and enhance the economy 1/3 of the U.S. economy ($3 trillion) is weather sensitive 1/3 of the U.S. economy ($3 trillion) is weather sensitive Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather Provides climate, water, weather forecasts and warnings to protect life and property and enhance the economy 1/3 of the U.S. economy ($3 trillion) is weather sensitive 1/3 of the U.S. economy ($3 trillion) is weather sensitive

3. “America’s Weather Enterprise: Protecting Lives, Livelihoods, and Your Way of Life” 3 What Our Nation Faces Every Year A Typical Year Brings:A Typical Year Brings: –6 Hurricanes –1,000 Tornadoes –5,000 Floods –10,000 Violent Thunderstorms –Drought Conditions –500 Deaths; 5,000 Injuries; $14 Billion in Losses A Typical Year Brings:A Typical Year Brings: –6 Hurricanes –1,000 Tornadoes –5,000 Floods –10,000 Violent Thunderstorms –Drought Conditions –500 Deaths; 5,000 Injuries; $14 Billion in Losses In an average year, NWS produces: –25 million forecasts –41,000 warnings –2,200 flood watches –500 trillion digital forecasts –9.4 million fire forecasts –784,200 airport forecasts In an average year, NWS produces: –25 million forecasts –41,000 warnings –2,200 flood watches –500 trillion digital forecasts –9.4 million fire forecasts –784,200 airport forecasts