Carroll County EMA's Safe House

The doors opened at 9 AM that Saturday morning. Over the next few short hours, the staffs of both the NWS Forecast Office and the Southeast River Forecast Center met and spoke to hundreds of people interested in learning more about what we do. The building was a beehive of activity as men, women and children moved from station to station interacting with forecasters and technicians. Some of the things they heard included how weather data are collected and utilized in making weather forecasts, how severe storms are detected, how storm warnings are formulated and disseminated, and how the NOAA Weather Radio system works. In addition, the operations of the River Forecast Center were on display.

One of the special exhibits was Carroll County Emergency Management Agency's "Safe House". Once inside, the visitor saw where to go in the event of a tornado or severe thunderstorm. There was also information on fire safety. This exhibit leaves a lasting impression!

Browse our photo gallery and see what you missed. The index follows...as do a few samples.
(Click on any of the photos below for an enlargement.)

• Main operations area of the forecast office
• Mr. Sena demonstrates AWIPS in our warning ops area
• Mr. Taylor and NOAA Weather Radio
• HAMs (Amateur Radio)
• Wide view of the office
• Mr. Hamill "makes his point"
• Mr. Rothfusz and a radiosonde in the Q & A room
• Mr. Woods draws a crowd
• Barry Gooden and Brad Gimmestad answers a few questions
• Jim Blair and a weather balloon

Mr. Beeley describes NEXRAD and the warning process	Mr. Smith wows 'em with AWIPS graphics	Mr. Burgess conducts a sing-a-long - NOT!

Mr Bushong explains some of the RFC's activities	Amateur radio volunteer describes the role of HAMs in severe weather operations	Vistors listen to a NOAA Weather Radio broadcast

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