Director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center Presented with Emmy Award

Max Mayfield, director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, has been honored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as this year’s recipient of the Governor’s Award for his devotion to television audiences during the record-setting 2004 hurricane season. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

With 1,128 television and radio interviews conducted during four landfalling hurricanes in only a six-week period, Mayfield and other NOAA hurricane experts became familiar faces in households around the United States and internationally during frequent on-air storm updates.

“Max is the calm and reassuring voice with accurate information when those in harm’s way need it the most,” said Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “This award underscores the important role that television media plays in disseminating critical forecast information to the public.”

Mayfield was presented with an Emmy statuette by the Suncoast chapter of the NATAS during a ceremony held December 11 in Miami.

“This award is truly for the entire staff of the National Hurricane Center and the NOAA team,” said Mayfield. “Countless lives are saved during each hurricane season because of the talent and dedication of these men and women.”

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

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Summary of the 2004 Hurricane Season: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2347.htm

NOAA’s National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/