NOAA ISSUES LA PLATA TORNADO SERVICE ASSESSMENT REPORT

A team of experts from NOAA’s National Weather Service today released its service assessment report on the performance of its forecast operations during the severe weather outbreak in southeast Maryland, punctuated by the F-4 tornado that struck parts of La Plata, Md., on April 28, 2002. The assessments are a routine internal review of National Weather Service operations during major weather events.

The La Plata tornado was part of a large, severe weather system that began in the mid-Mississippi Valley, and rolled across states in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. The La Plata tornado carved a 64-mile path across southeast Maryland. The whole storm system caused three deaths, 122 injuries and more than $100 million in damages in the state.

The service assessment report includes key findings and recommendations, ranging from improvements to future weather operations and warnings, to strengthening cooperation with other agencies on damage surveys.

NOAA National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA National Weather Service 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.

To learn more about NOAA’s National Weather Service, visit: http://www.nws.noaa.gov.

The service assessment report is available online at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/index.shtml.