WNWW? (Why No Wind Warning?)

From Charles Wallace, the County’s Deputy Director of Emergency Management: A high wind squall rolled through the County Monday night,  bringing 70 mph wind gusts. The winds lasted about 25 minutes but were substantial . . . the event was felt from Elma to Hoquiam to Taholah.
Although wind gusts were predicted to be in the 40-45 mph range, the event developed suddenly. Even though the event was impacting the County, the National Weather Service did not activate the NOAA All Hazard Weather Radios for notification of the event.
Grays Harbor Emergency Management has contacted the National Weather Service and has received the following  explanation as to why the NOAA All Hazard Weather Radios were not activated. Once the event began, there was discussion between the forecasters as to if an alert should had been sent to the County. At the time, they felt that since it was already impacting the area, it would be better to send it to the immediate adjoining areas to alert them and not send out to our County.
After vehemently explaining the position of Grays Harbor County Emergency Management to the Weather Service about the fact that it is essential that the alert be sent immediately to all citizens in the County, it was explained that the forecasters have now assessed their actions and agree that the alert should had been sent out to the County. Also, it was agreed that Grays Harbor Emergency Management will host Ted Buehner from the National Weather Service in Seattle and some of the NWS forecasters at an upcoming Emergency Management Planning Committee meeting to help them to understand the reason we need the notifications and also to explain the different weather pattern and notification problems we have endured for many years. The National Weather Service in Seattle has been extremely helpful in addressing this issue and wishes to continue developing a better relationship with Grays Harbor County.
There are many weather related issues we face in Grays Harbor County. The Doppler Radar which may be in place by next year at this time will assist greatly in being able to see how storms develop and move through the County. The radar will not prevent the storms from occurring, but it will assist in tracking and in the development of a better forecast.
Remember, NOAA All Hazards Weather Radios are essential for the safety of your family, friends, neighbors and pets. Please obtain one as soon as possible. There will be more NOAA All Hazard Weather Radio events sponsored by Washington State Emergency Management in the near future. Please keep alert for dates and times in our County.

Charles T Wallace
Deputy Director of Emergency Management
Grays Harbor County
(360) 249-3911 x 290
cwallace@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

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