Storm Surge Tools and Information: A User Needs Assessment

摘要

The hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 offer vivid evidence of the devastation that storm surge can inflict on coastal communities. Recognizing the importance of timely and accurate forecasts in reducing these impacts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) created an internal Storm Surge Leadership Team in November 2004 to assess the current state of storm surge models, information resources, and decision-support tools. In January 2005, the Storm Surge Leadership Team convened a needs assessment working group consisting of individuals from the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Ocean Service (NOS), Sea Grant, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Its goal was to consult with state- and local-level users of storm surge forecasts, as well as academia and the private sector, to identify specific areas for improvement within NOAAs models, decision-support tools, and information resources. Given the short time frame for this effort, the team triangulated information from multiple data sources to identify strategically important areas where NOAA could strengthen its storm-surge-related activities. The assessment consisted of three phases of data collection and analysis: Phase I Scoping Interviews and Literature Review; Phase II On-line Needs Assessment; and Phase III Focus Group Sessions.