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Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Center Preps for Hurricane Season

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060415-03
Release Date: 4/17/2006 12:01:00 PM

By Lithographer 2nd Class Pamela Coxe, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Station Norfolk’s Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NMOC) provided a briefing April 13 to illustrate lessons learned and how they are preparing for hurricanes this upcoming season utilizing current technology.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita brought several changes for NMOC, including discussions on a newly developed storm much earlier than in the past.

“We have extended our discussion of impacts sooner -- as far as 120 plus hours out,” said Lt. Cmdr. Erica Kraft, NMOC’s assistant operations officer.

“We are stepping through that process literally in the beginning of the storm,” said Lt. Jeff M. Palmer, NMOC’s tropical support officer.

According to Palmer, the technology used in the process of storm preparation remains the same.

“The technology has been pretty good all along,” Palmer said. It has “not changed. We work with the National Hurricane Center to reissue warnings.” Warnings are disseminated through e-mail and the Internet.

Palmer added “there’s (also) a series of warning conditions, conditions of readiness and sortie conditions that” will be enforced by base installations and sea base units to get ships and personnel prepared earlier and moved away from the storm’s path before it hits.

“Make sure you prepare early and get all the things you need set up such as supplies,” advised Palmer. “We are looking to have a (hurricane) season forecast almost as severe as last year.”

Last year’s hurricane season was the worst on record with more than 26 storms. Hurricanes such as Katrina, Rita and Wilma wreaked total havoc upon areas in their path, wiping out extensive areas along the coasts.

“We are particularly concerned about the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, because there is only one way in and out of there,” said Aerographer’s Mate 2nd Class Joseph L. Lawrence, NMOC’s forecast duty officer and hurricane duty officer.

According to Lawrence, NMOC is the leading edge for hurricane preparation. They are constantly watching, planning and providing the best possible routes to keep Navy ships and all its assets out of harm's way during these potentially destructive storms.

Lawrence said NMOC’s work last year saved the Navy a lot of money.

“We saved the Navy about $35 million” by giving the best routes for ships and keeping them out of the paths of the storms, said Lawrence.

For more information on hurricane warnings and the role NMOC plays in keeping the fleet safe in foul weather, visit http://nlmoc.navy.mil.