APPENDIX C: MITIGATION ALTERNATIVES
On smaller rivers and streams, locally established rainfall and river gauges are needed to establish a flood threat recognition system. The NWS may issue a "flash flood watch." This is issued to indicate current or developing hydrologic conditions that are favorable for flash flooding in and close to the watch area, but the occurrence is neither certain nor imminent. These events are so localized and so rapid that a "flash flood warning" may not be issued, especially if no remote threat recognition equipment is available. In the absence of a gauging system on small streams, the best threat recognition system is to have local personnel monitor rainfall and stream conditions. While specific flood crests and times will not be predicted, this approach will provide advance notice of potential local or flash flooding. WARNING The next step in emergency response following threat recognition is to notify the public and staff of other agencies and critical facilities. More people can implement protection measures if warnings are early and include specific detail. The NWS issues notices to the public using two levels of notification: • Watch: conditions are right for flooding, thunderstorms, tornadoes or winter storms. • Warning: a flood, tornado, etc., has started or been observed. A more specific warning may be disseminated by the community in a variety of ways. The following are the more common methods: • CodeRED countywide mass telephone emergency communication system • Commercial or public radio or TV stations • The Weather Channel • Cable TV emergency news inserts • Telephone trees/mass telephone notification • NOAA Weather Radio • Tone activated receivers in key facilities • Outdoor warning sirens • Sirens on public safety vehicles • Door-to-door contact • Mobile public address systems • Email notifications Just as important as issuing a warning is telling people what to do in case of an emergency. A warning program should include a public information component. STORMREADY The National Weather Service (NWS) established the StormReady program to help local governments improve the timeliness and effectiveness of hazardous weather-related warnings for the public. To be officially StormReady, a community must: • Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center • Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public • Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally • Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars • Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises
WSP June 2024 Page C.13
Wake County, NC Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
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