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How the National Weather Service worked to save lives

Umito October 26, 2024

GREER, South Carolina (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The National Weather Service team in Greenville-Spartanburg worked desperately to save lives Friday morning from Tropical Storm Helene. However, their efforts began long before that fateful Friday.

“We were looking at what we call an earlier rain event, which would primarily affect us Wednesday night,” said Trisha Palmer, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg.

A preceding rain event may occur 24 to 48 hours before the arrival of a tropical system. Due to this previous rain event, some areas of the mountains had already received 6-10 inches of rain before Helene even moved in. That’s when the National Weather Service team knew this weather event was going to be both catastrophic and historic.

During an event like Helene’s, the National Weather Service notifies each affected county’s emergency management, local authorities, schools and first responders.

At Queen City News, we also partner with the National Weather Service to help relay information about severe weather situations.

As Hélène wreaked havoc in the mountains. The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued 16 flash flood emergencies. These are only issued when the flood is considered catastrophic.

“Every time we publish one. This means the threat is imminent and you should either get to higher ground and, if you can, evacuate immediately,” said Clay Chaney, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“Staggering” devastation left in Helen’s wake in Yancey County

The National Weather Service used several tools during the catastrophic flooding. Including a program called AWIPS, which helps them import model weather data and other important weather information.

They also publish their forecasts on their website, including possible weather hazards for a given day. They added that it is always important to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

Our Pinpoint Weather app is a good source and it’s free on Google Play and Apple App Store.

The National Weather Service is planning relief efforts. Conduct daily weather briefings for recovery areas.