FLOOD OUTLOOK PRODUCT DECLARED OPERATIONAL BY NOAA's NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE November 2, 2001 NOAA's National Weather Service began issuing five-day flood outlooks that identify areas at risk of significant river flooding Nov. 1. This product was tested by NOAA's River Forecast Centers for the past two months and proved useful to emergency managers. "Over the past 50 years, flooding cost an average of 100 lives and almost $4 billion in damages per year in the United Statesmore than any other severe weather-related event," said John Jones, deputy director of NOAA's National Weather Service. "Flooding can result from any one, or a combination of too much rain, rapid snow melt, or flood waters flowing downstream. The flood outlook product is an assessment of the likelihood of these factors, based on precipitation forecasts, snow cover and forecast temperature patterns." The flood outlook is developed
by each of the 13 regional River Forecast Centers throughout
the United States, and is available to the public with a graphical
display on the Internet. An additional map, produced by NOAA's
Hydrometeorological Prediction Center in collaboration with
the RFCs, shows flood potential for the contiguous 48 states
and is available through the Emergency
Managers Weather Information Network, NOAA Port, the Family of Services,
the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and NOAA web page.
The national product is published daily at 4:00 p.m. ET. "We want to give our users
enough warning to help save lives and minimize property damage,"
said John Feldt, chief hydrologist for the center. "This
new graphical product will give us a unique opportunity to provide
a longer term outlook that will enable the public to prepare
for potential flooding." The 13 different River Forecast Centers throughout the United States enable the weather service to focus on locally unique hydrologic conditions, including the potential impact of future precipitation on river levels. During the winter, the effects of river ice, ice jams and snowmelt will be considered as well. NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather and flood forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NWS operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Relevant Web Sites
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