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[Upbeat Music]
In the immediate aftermath of a tornado,
every minute counts for emergency responders.
A new tool developed by NOAA’s National Severe Storms Lab
can pinpoint when and where damage most likely occurred
- shortening the time it takes to get help to those in need.
Using wind information detected by Doppler radar,
rotation tracks show where the strongest circulation
occurred over a several hour period.
The radar’s ability to sense debris in the air
helps first responders better identify
where damage occurred at the ground.
This real-time data can be plotted on high resolution maps
like Google Earth.
We originally developed this product
for use by the National Weather Service
to determine how strong storms were in real-time
and also to plan where they might send their damage survey crews
but then we found that other agencies such as the Red Cross
and Federal Emergency Management Agency had great use for it.
The technology has helped the American Red Cross
cut their disaster assessment time down from 72 to 24 hours.
First, disaster teams focus in on the areas most likely damaged.
Then, they assess which neighborhoods need assistance first
and what roads they should take to get there.
This technology is available to all disaster assessment
and recovery organizations throughout the nation.
Learn more here and follow us.