Thursday, June 24, 2010
 
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Improved storm forecasts and observations, combined with communications, all aid public safety

Emergency management evolves with new technologies

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[June 24, 2010]  Technology advancements in weather forecasting and communications aided Logan County emergency managers Wednesday evening as they once again tracked a potentially dangerous storm headed for Logan County.

While keeping in direct radio contact with the National Weather Service, Dan Fulscher and Terry Storer kept close track of the storm radar images on large screens.

Next to them, radioman Devon Vannoy kept in direct contact with fire departments, other response agencies and storm spotters who were located and occasionally relocated throughout the county.

The storm system that began in midafternoon as a skinny little line over Iowa eventually expanded to stretch from Kansas City well into Wisconsin. This was a storm that the National Weather Service forecast half a day before its appearance and said to watch carefully.

As it moved eastward, it gained in length, width and intensity and held the potential to reach an intensity that it could generate 60 to 90 mph winds. As the storm advanced, a number of tornado vortexes were detected by radar; two were located near Peoria, one over Marshall County and another at O'Hare Airport.

The emergency operations center for Logan County was set up a few hours earlier for possible full activation, which if it had been initiated, would have brought in more assistance for the radio room, plus chiefs, government agency and department heads, and community leaders for decision-making processes.

Fortunately, about an hour before reaching Logan County, the segment that would affect our area diminished significantly.

A minimal staff remained on deck to monitor and conduct communications as the storm passed.

What ultimately came through delivered moderate gusty winds -- up to 34 mph with a 360 degree shift in direction was recorded at the Logan County Airport -- some heavy rain, with accumulations of 0.5 to 2 inches, and a lot of lightning, again. Wind gusts of 65 and 60 mph were reported in Middletown and Elkhart. Only minor damage and temporary flooding were reported.

In Logan County the emergency managers conducted their operations from a recently completed state-of-the-art emergency operations and communications center.

They closely watched and listened to reports and stayed poised to act.

Whenever a more intense pocket was witnessed on the enhanced radar, or when a report was received, the information was immediately relayed to others in the field.

Cautionary statements were responded to in-kind from the field. Their response is highly valued by the managers. No response is the worst response. It can indicate trouble on the ground. Field reports primarily serve to enhance awareness as to what is happening. It gives the emergency managers an edge, a moment to think what might be needed if there would be damage or dangerous conditions being created, such as flooding, trees or wires down.

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At one point a more intense cell was witnessed developing over Middletown. A call was sent out, and soon Middletown Fire Department replied that there was heavy rain and winds. A short time later a few trees, limbs and electrical wires were reported downed. The power company was contacted and arrangements were made to get a large tree off the roadway.

Observing activities on this evening were David Christiansen, the Hoffman Estates emergency management coordinator, and his intern, Alana Sorrentino.

Sorrentino represents the next generation of emergency managers coming up in a new way. She is among the first and few students completing requirements in a Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved degree program at Western Illinois University.

Western is one just a few schools in the nation to offer the bachelor's degree in emergency management. Their program began in 2006.

A notation on a page in today's NWS forecast might make a lot of people, including first responders, smile. It reads, "NO RAIN TODAY & FRIDAY!!!"
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/wxstory.php?site=ilx

[LDN]

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