[MTHOLLYSVRWX] PHI Public Information Statement 14:50:26.1712

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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
250 PM EST Thu Dec 5 2019

To:    Subscribers:
    -NOAA Weather Wire Service
    -Emergency Managers Weather Information Network
    -NOAAPORT
    Other NWS Partners and NWS Employees

From:Ray Kruzdlo
    Senior Service Hydrologist
    National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office,
            Mount Holly/Philadelphia

Subject:Flash Flood Impact-Based Warnings and Wireless Emergency Alerts

The Philadelphia/Mount Holly National Weather Service (NWS) has implemented
a new format for Flash Flood Warnings. This is part of a nationwide
initiative. Similar to Tornado Warnings, Flash Flood Warnings (FFW)
have become impact-based.

Each Impact-Based Flash Flood Warning will contain a bulleted format of
consistent, more readable information describing:

1. Hazard (i.e., Flash Flood)
2. Source (i.e., Radar, gauges, trained spotters, emergency manager)
3. Brief description of the impact

These New Flash Flood Warnings and follow-up Statements will also include
machine-readable tags that will appear at the bottom of the messages.

These tags consist of:

1. Flash Flood Damage Threat:
      a) Base - Most flash floods, with the potential for impacts and
         damage
      b) Considerable - Unusual severity of impacts, urgent action is
         needed to protect lives and property
      c) Catastrophic - Exceedingly rare, violent flash floods which
         threaten lives and cause disastrous damage (Flash Flood
         Emergency)
2. Source Information (Radar, gauges, trained spotter, emergency manager)
3. Causative Event (Expected rainfall, dam break, levee break)

Once the Flash Flood Impact-Based Warning format is fully implemented nationwide,
cell phone Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) will only be utilized for
Flash Flood Warnings or Statements that carry either the "Considerable"
or "Catastrophic" threat tag.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact:

Ray Kruzdlo
Senior Service Hydrologist
National Weather Service Mt. Holly/Philadelphia
Phone: 609-261-6615 ext 234
Email: raymond.kruzdlo at noaa.gov

$$

Kruzdlo