1. NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE APRIL 9, 2001 Stu Ostro Director, Weather Communications THE WEATHER CHANNEL

2. THE WEATHER CHANNEL: Passionate about disaster mitigation 19 years of service TWC Forum

3. Many “platforms” Closed captioning E.M. scrolls El Canal del Tiempo Impact graphics NEW COMMUNICATION MEDIA AT THE WEATHER CHANNEL

4. NEW METEOROLOGICAL TECHNOLOGY Application to wave/wave setup/surge, [inland] wind, rainfall Advanced remote sensing Computer forecast models for impacts Improved data collection and integration NOAA/AF flights

5. On video network and weather.com THE WEATHER CHANNEL EDUCATION & TRAINING Talks to schools, general public, and E.M. community In-house continuing ed of staff Project Safeside

6. TWC updates and interprets MESSAGE CONSISTENCY Needs to be a balance between government and private interests - Private entities have “rights” but too much confusion for users can be counterproductive TWC always relays all official information - Storm data, watches/warnings, evacuation orders

7. A lot comes down to what happens at the “moment of truth”… BOTTOM LINE Develop and utilize new technology … Ongoing education efforts should continue to be a priority… But… Need to “get back to basics” too!... Beware of overreliance on computer model track/intensity predictions Perfect forecast won’t matter if message is not communicated effectively and appropriately! Update risk assessment of coastal locations and apply to evacuation strategy Ensure objectivity in forecasts and action recommendations