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The National Weather Service (NWS) and Henz Meteorological Services (HMS) will provide
meteorological support to Arvada and Jefferson County. Following is the process by which
NWS, HMS, Arvada and Jefferson County should coordinate, exchange information and gear up
for potential flood situations:
NWS and HMS conduct daily weather discussions as necessary
to evaluate flood potentials. HMS will prepare daily heavy precipitation outlooks from
April 15 through September 15. This product is available to all UDFCD Electronic Bulletin
Board (EBB) users and may also be faxed to warning plan participants. When warranted, more
detailed quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF) and storm track predictions will be
issued by HMS. Many NWS products are also available to EBB users including flood
advisories, flash flood watches and flash flood warnings.
When weather conditions are such that flash flood
producing rains could develop, HMS will relay a MESSAGE 1 to Jefferson County Sheriff's
Department Communications Center (JCC) by phone. JCC will forward the message by phone to
Arvada and Jefferson County Emergency Management. A MESSAGE 1 that requires priority
handling will be identified as a RED FLAG message. All RED FLAG messages affecting
the Ralston Creek drainage basin will also be communicated directly to Arvada Police.
NWS and HMS continue their weather discussion. If the
flood potential increases one of the following actions will occur:
- NWS will issue a Special Weather Statement through normal channels (NAWAS,
weather wire, weather radio) and/or HMS will send a MESSAGE UPDATE to MESSAGE 1 (RED
FLAG if warranted) to JCC; or
- NWS will issue a Flash Flood Watch through normal channels (NAWAS, weather wire,
weather radio) and HMS will send MESSAGE 2 to JCC; or
- HMS will send a MESSAGE 2 to JCC indicating an increase in flood potential.
JCC will forward this message to Arvada Police, Arvada Fire Protection District,
Fairmount Fire Protection District and Jefferson County Emergency Management. Arvada
Police will be contacted directly by HMS when a RED FLAG message warrants immediate action
on their part.
Observers will be designated within each jurisdiction and
consideration will be given toward activating the Arvada and Jefferson County EOCs.
Regular coordination between NWS, HMS, JCC and Arvada will
continue. Should the Arvada EOC be activated, HMS and NWS shall be notified immediately
and regular coordination will include the EOC. HMS will re-direct communications to the
Arvada EOC upon request by Arvada Police.
When conditions warrant, NWS will issue a Flash Flood
Warning through normal channels and HMS will send a MESSAGE 3 to JCC and Arvada Police
or the EOC. HMS may issue a MESSAGE 3 prior to the issuance of a NWS warning if HMS feels
that a life-threatening flood is imminent.
Jefferson County, Arvada and fire districts will continue
to monitor the situation and begin public dissemination of warnings when necessary. HMS
will continue to send MESSAGE UPDATES as warranted.
When the hazard has passed, HMS will send MESSAGE 4 to JCC
and the Arvada EOC, if activated.
Throughout all of the above activities NWS and HMS will coordinate as necessary. It
must be remembered that events may occur so rapidly that it may not be possible to carry
out all of the above steps. Personnel on duty must be prepared for this possibility and
must pick up the process as best they can.
The following page provides a brief description of each HMS message and their intended
uses. Subsequent pages contain the standard message forms used by JCC and Arvada Police
for documenting and relaying direct HMS communications. These message forms should be used
to insure the rapid flow of information with minimum chance for error.
URBAN DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
FLASH FLOOD PREDICTION PROGRAM (F2P2)
MESSAGE FORMS
The UDFCD F2P2 message forms on the following pages provide a fill-in-the-blank format
for use by communications personnel. Descriptions of their intended uses are given below:
MESSAGE 1 (Internal Alert)
This is an advisory message which is meant to inform key people
that weather conditions are such that flood producing storms could develop later in the
day. It will be issued by HMS after consultations with NWS. If HMS feels this weather
advisory requires priority handling by the communications dispatcher, the message will be
preceded with the statement: "THIS IS A RED FLAG MESSAGE."
MESSAGE 2 (Flash Flood Watch)
This message indicates that a Flash Flood Watch has been issued by
NWS and/or HMS feels the risk is high that a life-threatening flood may occur later
in the day. HMS will add any additional information which is available. This message
requires priority handling by the communications dispatcher.
MESSAGE 3 (Flash Flood
Warning)
This message indicates that a Flash Flood Warning has been issued
by NWS and/or HMS feels that a life-threatening flood is imminent. Again, HMS will
add any additional information which is available. This warning message requires priority
handling by the communications dispatcher.
MESSAGE UPDATE
This message will be used by HMS to update any of the previous
messages, particularly in the event of a disagreement between HMS and NWS. For example,
this message can be used to narrow a watch or warning area as more information becomes
available or to provide more site specific data and direction during an event. If HMS
feels this message requires priority handling by the communications dispatcher, the
message will be preceded with the statement: "THIS IS A RED FLAG MESSAGE."
MESSAGE 4 (All Clear)
This message cancels the flood potential status. This message is
issued by HMS after consultation with NWS and other entities involved with direct HMS
communications.
MESSAGE 1
(Internal Alert)
This is Henz Meteorological Services(HMS) meteorologist
(name)
Please prepare to fill in the blanks on UDFCD/F2P2 Form M-1 concerning the possibility
of flooding later today.
We have determined that the potential for flooding exists for
from until .
Prime time for flooding is from until .
(time) (time)
The most likely areas to be impacted by flooding are (check
appropriate items):
Mountain Canyon Streams & Floodplains
Urban Streams & Floodplains
Urban Streets, Intersections & Low Lying Areas
Other (describe)
The potential risk to life and property is (check
appropriate item):
Low Moderate High
This message is not intended for public dissemination. Please pass this information
along to affected emergency response organizations (police, fire, public works, etc.)
within your area.
Also, please take appropriate actions to prepare for possible flooding.
Further information will be provided to you as it becomes available.
MESSAGE 2
(Flash Flood Watch)
This is Henz Meteorological Services(HMS) meteorologist
(name)
Please prepare to fill in the blanks on UDFCD/F2P2 Form M-2 concerning the threat of
flash flooding later today.
Use message OPTION (circle one): A B
OPTION A
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for
, which
means that flash flooding is possible within the watch area.
This watch is valid from until .
(time) (time)
HMS concurs/disagrees (circle one) with the NWS watch and advises
OPTION B
HMS has determined that the possibility of a life-threatening
flash flood exists for
from until .
(time) (time)
Please pass this information along to affected emergency response organizations
(police, fire, public works, etc.) within your area.
Also, please take appropriate actions to prepare for possible flooding.
Further information will be provided to you as it becomes available.
MESSAGE 3
(Flash Flood Warning)
This is Henz Meteorological Services(HMS) meteorologist
(name)
Please prepare to fill in the blanks on UDFCD/F2P2 Form M-3 concerning an imminent
flash flood.
Use message OPTION (circle one): A B
OPTION A
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning
for
, which means that flash flooding is imminent or has been reported within the warning
area.
This warning is valid from until .
(time) (time)
OPTION B
HMS has determined that an imminent danger of a life-threatening
flash flood exists for
from until .
(time) (time)
Please expedite this information to affected emergency response organizations
(police, fire, public works, etc.) within your area.
Also, please take appropriate actions to deal with this flood threat and warn the
public.
Further information will be provided to you as it becomes available.
MESSAGE UPDATE
This is Henz Meteorological Services(HMS) meteorologist
(name)
Please prepare to fill in the blanks on the UDFCD/F2P2 Form M-U concerning updated
information on the threat of local flooding.
This is an update to Message(s) concerning possible
flooding for .
HMS advises
Please pass this information along to the emergency response organizations you have
previously notified.
Also, please take appropriate action in response to the current flood potential.
Further information will be provided to you as it becomes available.
MESSAGE 4
(All Clear)
This is Henz Meteorological Services(HMS) meteorologist
(name)
Please prepare to fill in the blanks on UDFCD/F2P2 Form M-4.
The potential for flooding in
has passed.
Message Number(s) are rescinded.
We will keep you advised of any changes.
Please pass this information along to the emergency response organizations you have
previously notified.
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