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Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT) June 3, 2010

Gulf States Hurricane Conference

Steve Dumovich, Fire Chief (ret.)Hurricane Program Manager

FEMA Region 6Denton, TX

steve.dumovich@dhs.gov

What is the HLT?

The HLT is a team of fulltime FEMA employees and Disaster reservists and National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists and/or hydrologists.

The HLT members represent the five hurricane regions- FEMA Region 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6

The mission of the HLT is to support hurricane response operations and decision-making by local, State and Federal officials through the rapid and accurate exchange of information between the NHC, the NWS and the emergency management community.

The HLT interacts primarily with the state EOC and the Region. States are encouraged to contact their state EOC representative.

HLT Responsibilities

Establish and facilitate video and/or teleconferences between FEMA, the NHC (Miami, FL), other National Weather Service (NWS) offices/centers and State Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Obtain and make available the latest information on the status of the storm to all authorized government agencies and respond to specific requests for such information.

Direct meteorological questions, issues and concerns from any emergency management officials to NHC Hurricane Specialists or Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs), as appropriate.

Solicit and relay emergency management issues, needs and concerns to NHC Hurricane Specialists and appropriate WFOs in real time.

Develop and maintain up-to-date internet website information on the storm for use by emergency management agencies and the general public.

Deploying the HLT

Region 6 has several individuals listed on the HLT roster.

Upon request from FEMA-HQ and the NHC, one member of the Region’s team will deploy to the NHC. (Funding for the deployment is managed by FEMA’s National Hurricane Program)

NHC-HLT consists of:

Hurricane Manager (FEMA-PFT assigned to NHC)

Regional Team Leader (FEMA Region Representative)

HLT Specialist (FEMA Region Representative)

Technical Service Specialist (FEMA Mt. Weather)

Meteorologist/Hydrologist (NOAA-NWS)

Regional Risk Analyst (FEMA or NWS at the Region RRCC)

Region 6 Trigger Points

Trigger Point 0 HLT ActivationH144+

NHC identifies a developing tropical cyclone

Alert HLT for deployment

Monitor storm’s track

Liaison with the Region’s Sit Unit, SRH and WFO

Issue deployment order to HLT members

Deploy HLT to NHC per HQ policy and procedure

Trigger Point 1 DeploymentH minus144-80

Monitor storm track

Run initial HURREVAC model

Establish communication with NWS-SRH, WFO and Sit Unit in Region upon arrival at NHC

HLT provides frequent updates to Region Sit Unit

HLT Updates

Position

Track

Forward speed

Intensity

Size of Wind Field

Storm Surge Potential

Rainfall and Flooding Potential

HLT Updates (cont.)

Inland Winds and Tornado Potential

Possibilities for Landfall

Meteorological Discussions

Hurricane Local Statements from WFO

Reports from Hurricane Hunter Aircraft

HURREVAC

Trigger Point 2 Staging/EvacH minus 80-30

Monitor storm track and development

Monitor HURREVAC including evacuation times

Run initial SLOSH models

Maintain situational awareness with affected Region’s Sit Unit, State and local EM’s and SRH and WFO

SLOSH Basin Map

Trigger Point 3 Evac/ShelterH minus 50-30

Monitor storm track including Category and potential surge

Monitor HURREVAC including evacuation times

Monitor SLOSH models

Maintain situational awareness with affected Region’s Sit Unit, State and local EM’s and SRH and WFO

SLOSH

Trigger Point 4 Force ProtectionH minus 30-landfall

Define storm’s landfall and potential impact

Report surge potential

Report changes as necessary

HURREVAC

SLOSH

Sea Surface Temperatures