The process by which the National Hurricane Center and the Emergency Management community collaborate and communicate with others is constantly changing. For example, consider today's ubiquity of mobile devices. People now carry the computing power in their pockets that 10 years ago was resigned to the domain of a desk. However it isn't just technology that is important, but also the processes we have in place and how we communicate that is advancing hurricane emergency management response.

Today, every local and State emergency manager has some form of organized conference call with their National Weather Service to discuss the forecast and more importantly the potential impacts. States along with the Federal government participate in information sharing video teleconferences that focus on the big picture threats, resource requirements and potential limitations. Through a partnership between the NWS and FEMA, dedicated staff members at the National Hurricane Center ensure the lines of communication between meteorologists and emergency managers are open and effectively used. The questions no longer are about access to data, but instead are about information: how best to use forecasts and what those forecasts mean.

This talk will focus on how we have evolved and improved our response to hurricane threats, and the gaps and limitations that exist today. Technology alone cannot help us if the partnerships, processes and training are not already in place.