Catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey that led to more than 60 deaths and thousands of rescues showed again that an accurate NOAA forecast by itself is not enough to ensure people grasp the risks and make sound decisions that save lives and property.
A new report released today by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine offsite linkconcludes that realizing the greatest return on investment from significant improvements in weather information will require a better understanding of how individuals, households and communities respond to weather forecasts, watches and warnings.
Catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey that led to more than 60 deaths and thousands of rescues showed again that an accurate NOAA forecast by itself is not enough to ensure people grasp the risks and make sound decisions that save lives and property.
A new report released today by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine offsite linkconcludes that realizing the greatest return on investment from significant improvements in weather information will require a better understanding of how individuals, households and communities respond to weather forecasts, watches and warnings.
To do that, NOAA, other public institutions, the private weather industry and academia — collectively called the weather enterprise — will need to embrace social and behavioral research and its application, say authors of the report “Integrating Social and Behavioral Sciences in the Weather Enterprise.”
“The Academies’ report could not come at a better time as we look for how to improve our nation’s preparedness and response to the effects of severe weather,” said Craig McLean, acting NOAA chief scientist.
Continue reading at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association).
Photo via NOAA.
