WARN Tabletop Exercise

1. WARN Tabletop Exercise Hurricane Scenario Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

2. Hurricane (insert name) Scenario • NOAA and the NWS have been monitoring a storm system during the last two weeks in August • NOAA and NWS predict that the storm will develop into a Category 3 hurricane and will make landfall at (insert detail here) over Labor Day weekend Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

3. Hurricane gathers strength and approaches the region as a Category 3 storm • Expect • Winds of 111-130 mph with a 9-12 ft. storm surge • Coastal area flooding (up to 8-mile radius from coast) • Moderate-to-severe structural damage to poorly constructed homes • Flying debris and falling trees will knock out power lines • NOAA and NWS expect hurricane to make landfall on the evening of Labor Day Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

4. WARN member utilities may be in the path of the storm • Member utilities will be affected by the flooding of coastal areas and power loss • Utilities are short-staffed due to the holiday weekend work schedule • Water utilities begin calling in staff who have scheduled vacation for the holiday weekend • However, many staff have left the area and will not be able to return before the storm makes landfall in the evening Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

5. Governor requests voluntary evacuation • Asks citizens within 15 miles of the coast and tourists visiting the region for the holiday weekend to evacuate • Hotels and local businesses begin boarding up their windows and placing sandbags around their properties Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

6. As predicted, the hurricane hits the areain early evening • Hurricane dumps heavy rains (4-8 inches) • High tides and tidal surge cause local flooding 4-5 miles inland • Winds of 50-65 mph cause trees to topple and limbs to break windows and damage buildings Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

7. Hurricane leaves the area quickly, but leaves a trail of damage • High rate of forward speed pushes storm through the area in 3 hours and begins to lose strength as it hits surrounding states and travels offshore around midnight • Hurricane affects the areas surrounding (insert detail here), so responders have to focus their resources on their areas Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

8. There is significant damage from storm surge and wind, including flooding, downed power lines, and debris • Debris blocks roads and inhibits emergency work and delivery of supplies • Emergency responders focus on rescuing many survivors from flooded areas and collapsed housing • Hospitals are flooded with water and overwhelmed by injured survivors • Power companies expect electricity to be out for at least 72 hours Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

9. Drinking water utilities experience significant challenges • Shortage of personnel due to displaced staff • Damaged infrastructure • Cross contamination of water supply (compromising 60 percent of the drinking water) • Electrical outages • Utilities contact State to help find qualified professionals to aid in assessment of water damage and begin cleanup and restoration of water supply Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

10. Wastewater utilities also face several challenges • Backup generators work for 10 hours, but then fail • Generator parts need replacement, but due to blocked roads, it may take several days for parts to arrive • Equalization tanks start to fill and plant may divert and discharge sewage in area rivers • Pipe rupture underneath a major roadway Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

11. Wastewater utilities also face several challenges • Area medical center, which is at capacity for patients, is losing water pressure at a rapid rate • Storm surge washed contaminants into many water sources • Chlorine is running low and next shipment was supposed to arrive day after Labor Day • Due to storm, suppliers unable to deliver chemicals Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

12. WARN Tabletop Exercise Facilitated Discussion Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

13. Facilitated Discussion • At what point in this scenario would your resources be fully or overcommitted? (pre-landfall) Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

14. Facilitated Discussion • What options are available to you to get outside help? (pre-landfall) Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

15. Facilitated Discussion • How will you activate your WARN in response to this situation and how will you notify other WARN members that you need help? (pre-landfall) Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

16. Facilitated Discussion • Identify and define processes that might need to be included in your WARN agreement. (pre-landfall) Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

17. Facilitated Discussion • At what point in this scenario would your resources be fully or overcommitted? Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

18. Facilitated Discussion • Identify and define processes that might need to be included in your WARN agreement. Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

19. Facilitated Discussion • How will outside assistance be managed within your organization? Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

20. Facilitated Discussion • How will outside resources be managed in the field? Identify and define processes that might need to be included in your own WARN agreement. Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

21. Facilitated Discussion • How will support to these resources be managed. How will these elements be included in your WARN agreement? Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

22. Facilitated Discussion • How will expenses be handled and should this be addressed in your WARN agreement? Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

23. Facilitated Discussion • When will you know that demands from the disaster have lessened and you no longer need support? Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

24. Facilitated Discussion • How are you going to manage demands for long-term recovery. How will these needs be addressed in your WARN agreement? Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

25. WARN Tabletop Exercise Post Exercise Session (“Hot Wash”) Discussion Points Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity

26. Verify Exercise Objectives Were Met: Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity Validate how WARN members work together during a significant water sector incident Facilitate an understanding of WARN concepts Identify strengths and areas of improvement Identify recommendations for changing approach

27. Conclusion Office of Water (4608T) EPA 817-R-08-005 September 2008 www.epa.gov/watersecurity Please turn in your participant evaluation form Compile all written and verbal comments Create an After Action Report with a Corrective Action Plan Next WARN meeting Thanks for participating