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Enhancing TV Weather Coverage with GIS: Central Texas Flash Flood Preparedness

This project explores the integration of GIS data into broadcast meteorology for improved coverage of severe weather, focusing on flash floods in Central Texas. By leveraging real-time data sources like NEXRAD and stream gauges, TV stations can provide viewers with accurate and timely information, enhancing safety awareness and preparedness. The proposed GIS Wish List includes collaboration with meteorologists and ESRI professionals to incorporate NEXRAD precipitation data and flood history scenarios. Social media integration, low water crossing alerts, and emergency response mapping are also key components for a comprehensive weather coverage strategy. Moving forward, the project aims to create a user-friendly interface that seamlessly combines multiple data sources and graphics vendors for a more informative on-air presentation.

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Enhancing TV Weather Coverage with GIS: Central Texas Flash Flood Preparedness

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  1. GIS in Hydrology Through a Broadcast Medium Maureen McCann CE 394 Term Project November 30, 2010

  2. Central Texas = Flash Flood Alley Source: The Flood Safety Education Project

  3. What’s the worst type of weather in Texas?

  4. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

  5. Severe T’storm and Tornado WARNINGS • Significant Flood Events • Maintain “first on, last off” coverage • Meteorologist(s) in the studio, reporters in the field • Social media interaction News 8 Austin Severe Weather Coverage

  6. Our Coverage Area

  7. What do we use now? • National Weather Service, NOAA Branches • LCRA • CoCoRAHs • News 8 Weather Watchers • WSI Suite

  8. What would be useful? • Accessing GIS data in TV graphics to enhance coverage and provide viewers with pertinent information GIS

  9. WISH LIST • Collaborated with Dr. Maidment, Chief Meteorologist, ESRI professionals, held workshops… • How could we combine…

  10. NEXRAD/Precip data • Time-based estimates • Manually corrected rainfall estimates Source: CRWR Group Maps, ArcGIS.com

  11. NEXRAD data sites Source: NWIS precip map, Scoffield

  12. Ground Observations • Surface data • ASOS/AWOS sites • CoCoRAHs • Mesonet data (LCRA, Brazos River, Guadalupe River, Brushy Creek, etc) Source: West Texas Mesonet Source: Upper Brushy Creek WCID

  13. Flood Info • Stream gauges: LCRA, USGS, other water authorities • Inundation levels • Hypothetical flood scenarios • Flood history/ comparable events Source: CRWR Group Maps, ArcGIS.com

  14. Real-Time Data Access

  15. Low Water Crossings • Usually prone sites • Alternative routes • Road closures • TXDot data Source: Hays County Online

  16. Low Water Crossings: Travis, Hays Co.

  17. Emergency Response • Live data from emergency response showing where rescues are occurring (from real-time fire call data?) • Available shelters?

  18. TXDOT Mapping Data

  19. Social Media • Twitter/Facebook • #hashtags relevant to the weather event (#TXwx, #weather, #Hermine etc) • tweets by geographical proximity • Photos/live web cams where available, geotagged • News 8 Weather stations

  20. Next Steps • Combine all of these ideas into a usable interface – toggle between data sources • Written in one language… WaterML? • Merge GIS to TV Weather Vendor graphics (WSI, Weather Central, AccuWeather etc) • Use on air!

  21. http://news8austin.com/weather For More Information

  22. Thank you! Maureen McCann AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist mmccann@news8austin.com @maureenmccann8

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