New York State Weather Warning Test Scheduled

ALBANY, NY (04/28/2011)(readMedia)-- The 23rd annual statewide hazardous weather communications drill is scheduled for next Thursday, May 5, when the five National Weather Service (NWS) offices serving New York State will issue test-warning messages for hazardous weather threats that develop rapidly.

The drill is being conducted as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, being observed in New York State beginning this Sunday through May 7.

The drill will be conducted statewide – at approximately 1:15 p.m. on May 5 – to test capability of the communication networks that are in place. This exercise is being conducted in cooperation with the New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission (DPC) – comprised of state agencies such as the Division of State Police, the State Education Department and the State Office of Emergency Management (State OEM) – the New York State Emergency Management Association, and the New York State Broadcasters Association.

"Protecting public health and safety and alerting citizens of impending emergencies including severe weather events is a fundamental responsibility of government," said Andrew X. Feeney, State OEM Director. "The annual communications drill is an excellent opportunity to test our warning systems to make sure they work as intended. Emergency and response organizations across New York State continue to work closely with the National Weather Service offices to ensure that communities receive advance notice when severe weather is forecasted."

Feeney said that one of the best ways New Yorkers can receive emergency information is through NY-ALERT, New York State's all-hazards alert and notification system. To subscribe to this free, web-based system, visit www.nyalert.gov.

The warning communication capabilities that will be tested include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Radio and Weather Wire Service, the emergency management community's National Warning System (NAWAS), and the New York Statewide Police Information Network (NYSPIN). NAWAS and NYSPIN are New York's official emergency management information communication systems for State agencies and local officials.

Internally, the communication drills provide National Weather Service staff the opportunity to practice skills usually applied under stress. Externally, the statewide drill gives public safety and preparedness officials, the broadcast media and all New Yorkers the opportunity to test their planned methods of receiving emergency weather messages. It also affords the opportunity to test plans for responding to a weather emergency.

In the event hazardous weather actually threatens on the scheduled drill day, the drill for that day will be postponed until the same day the following week. For more information, contact the Warning Coordination Meteorologist listed below at the nearest National Weather Service office.

Albany: Stephen DiRienzo 518-435-9571 x223

Buffalo: Judy Levan 716-565-0015

Long Island: Gary Conte 631-924-0593 x223

Binghamton: Dave Nicosia 607-770-9531 x223

Burlington: Scott Whittier 802-862-8711 x4926

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Counties covered by National Weather Service Offices serving New York State:

NWS Albany

Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, Warren and Washington.

NWS Binghamton

Broome, Southern Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins and Yates.

NWS Buffalo

Allegany, Cattaraugus, Northern Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Wayne and Wyoming.

NWS Burlington

Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence.

NWS Long Island

Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester.