Compound Hazards at Multiple Scales: Conclusions from a National Survey to Emergency Managers in the US

In this presentation, the authors will describe the preliminary conclusions of a national survey fielded between June and August 2023 and responded by more than 320 Emergency Managers (EMs) from multiple jurisdictions (town, city, state). The survey is part of a study that seeks to understand how EMs use NOAA/NWS data, products, information, and decision support when responding to high-impact weather events, significantly when tornadoes and flash floods co-occur during landfalling tropical and post-tropical cyclones. Based on the responses and descriptive statistical analysis, presenters will discuss critical dimensions of wind and water compound hazards affecting EMs' communication to the public, the definition of vulnerable populations, and how COVID-19 has impacted their preparedness approach. The presentation also focuses on the responses to the case study of Hurricane Ida (Aug 26-Sep 3, 2021), which aimed to understand specific challenges EMs face while interpreting and shaping warning messaging when concurrent flash floods and tornadoes hit vulnerable populations.