2011 NWS Open House and Hurricane Hunter Visit

Hurricane Hunter Visit and NWS Open House a Great Success

The 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to be very active, with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center predicting 12 to 18 named tropical cyclones. Although tropical cyclones can be destructive to U.S. coastlines, they can also wreak havoc inland through damaging winds, heavy rains and tornadoes. For this reason, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Peachtree City, Georgia decided to educate the public on how to plan, prepare, stay informed and take actions necessary to protect life and property from threats associated with tropical systems.

On Saturday, June 4^th, 2011, the Peachtree City NWS staff teamed up with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters to highlight the many threats associated with tropical cyclones.

The Hurricane Hunters flew one of the special hurricane-penetrating Lockheed-Martin WC-130J aircraft to the Atlanta Regional Airport (Falcon Field) in Peachtree City for the free public event. Approximately 2700 people toured the plane and chatted with the crew, learning the vital importance of the missions for improving forecasts and warnings issued by the National Hurricane Center and NWS. The Peachtree City NWS Forecast Office and the Southeast River Forecast Center also had display booths co-located with the Hurricane Hunter plane and handed out hundreds of informational brochures, providing detailed guidance on preparing for hazards associated with inland moving tropical systems.

The NWS Forecast Office held an Open House in conjunction with the Hurricane Hunter plane to give local residents a chance to tour the operations area where the official forecasts, advisories, watches, and warnings originate for almost 100 Georgia counties. Approximately 900 area residents toured the office, making this the most successful open house outreach event since the office opened at the Peachtree City location in 1994.

Overall, the whole event was a great success and thousands of citizens received vital life saving preparedness information regarding emergency planning, receiving warnings and taking actions to protect life and property.

Air Force Hurricane Hunter Plane (WC-130J) at the NWS Open House.

NWS Peachtree City Forecast Office.

[ People touring the Weather Forecast Office. ]

Public touring the NWS Weather Forecast Office during the Open House.