Contacting the NWS with storm pictures/video.

[Rob H]

I've been contacted a few times by WFOs asking for permission to use images they've somehow found. I don't have any problem with this, and I'd actually like to be more pro-active if it would be helpful.

Are there any rough guidelines for what you should send, when you should send, and who to send it to? While going through old chase logs I found two scenarios from May and June and I'm wondering if the WFOs for that area would still be interested in anything from those dates and if not, if they would have been closer to the date.

1) No reported tornadoes in that location per SPC (although we did call in reports), I have pictures and video of the tornadoes and damaged powerlines.

2) Brief glimpse of a rain-wrapped EF-2 hitting a town, on a day where I don't believe any other pictures were taken of tornadoes.

I feel like it's not much, but since they occasionally ask there must be some value in providing this media. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Tim Stoecklein]

I would say if the material is for a WFO with which you don't have an existing relationship, check the bottom of the homepage for the WFO. Most, if not all(?), have a web master email address at the bottom by which you could make contact. The web master could either forward your materials on, or put you in direct contact with the person in the office who might be interested. Or, you could just go the old fashioned way and give a call to the phone number listed there as well, and ask them.

Scroll to the bottom of Topeka's page where the contact info is located...

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/top/

 

[Shane Adams]

I don't send in video like I did pre-911; since every government building has been put on security lockdown, just waltzing in through the front door (like I always did back in the day) is no longer an option.

If a WFO contacted you, I'd think they would have also provided all the necessary info (who/where to send it to, etc etc). Otherwise, if I was the one who made first contact, I usually just sent the video to whatever NWSFO I was dealing with and the individual would be looking for it. You can always mark the package "c/o whoever".

As far as submitting video evidence of an event that wasn't recorded, I've had both successful and unsuccessful experiences. There's a tornado from May 4, 2001 I have on video, reported via phone, email, and in-person, showed the video to a forecaster at the NWSFO responsible for the area it occurred in, and it still does not appear in the data. You can only pull a sleeve so many times with no response, then you just accept that it's not going to happen. However each NWSFO operates differently, and a negative experience with one shouldn't taint your opinion of any others. I would try to contact them about your video evidence to see if they want to look at it and perhaps alter the data for that event.

My first tornado was June 6, 1996. I sat on the video for months before even considering showing it to the NWS. Once I did, in February of 1997, they actually confirmed it and added a tornado to the 1996 count. So, it can be done. I would definitely try.

 

[jshields]

I had a good experience with the Aberdeen, SD wfo on july 26th, 2011. I was on the Hoven, SD tornado and was actually the first one to call into 911 as it was touching down in a field just west of town. I ended up getting video of it going through town from about 1/2 mile west of town, so I contacted the WFO. their original storm surveys that came out the next day before I sent in my video had no mention of the Hoven tornado, but sure enough after I sent them an email and they asked for the video and pics, a survey team was sent out after I sent those on to them. they were real nice and responded quickly, etc.

 

[jaredleighton]

Rob,

One option is to do as Tim S. suggested and send in the photos/videos to the webmaster. Usually there is a webmaster email address at the bottom of the front page for each individual WFO. The webmaster will then forward the email to a forecaster or the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM), who will then address the photo/video. If you do send an email to the webmaster be sure to include any pertinent information regarding the photo (e.g. time, date, location, direction, etc...).

If you want more personal service, go ahead and contact the WFO between Mon-Fri sometime between 9 am and 4 pm and ask to speak to the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM). The WCM will be able to give you some contact information so you can send the report directly to a person. Also, with this method you'll be able to verbally convey to the office any extra information regarding the photo.



Shane,

That's unfortunate that you had a negative experience when trying to help an office out. And as unfortunate as it is, as you said, it should not be considered the norm. Usually offices are in need of as many reports as possible to build a report database so warnings can be verified.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I've had nothing but positive experiences working with WFOs. I've had several long, detailed discussions with mets at a couple offices using my video to help understand what went on during a given event. In some cases they were able to conclude a tornado did or did not occur. It is always worth a shot and most offices really appreciate being able to use our video/photos to help piece together the puzzle.

I have heard horror stories though [mostly regarding OU and Dallas] which is a shame, though I have never worked with them personally. If they ever had a reason to contact me I wouldn't hesitate to at least try, or if I had something I felt they should see I would definitely contact them.

 

[John Wetter]

Yep, the webmaster link is best, unless in the staff section they have an e-mail listed for the WCM. Video/photos are always great to send in. As Adam mentioned, they can be very helpful immediately after an event, but even later they can be useful for Skywarn training. Most Skywarn training wants more structure or life-cycle type video though, not necessarily tornado video/pictures.

 

[Shane Adams]

Yep, the webmaster link is best, unless in the staff section they have an e-mail listed for the WCM.

Contacting the WCM (Warning Coordination Meteorologist) is what I've always done, because the first few times I sent in video, I was always directed towards this person. This has been the case with all NWSFOs I've worked with.

 

[David Drummond]

What Shane said. Especially if you documented an event that was under-reported or non-reported at the time, or there was no obvious evidence of the event. It can help them verify the warning. In some cases, it can also help declassify something that was reported as something other than what it actually was. WCMs are always interested in this sort of thing.

 

[JSmith]

I rarely traveled far outside of the DMX WFO, and I would always send my pictures to the local WFO and Emergency Management officials. But I was local, contacting local people.

Not sure if I will even do anything this year since I've relocated to N Texas.