Tornado Warning Guidance and Graphics: Implications of the Inclusion of Protective Action Information on Perceptions and Efficacy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannette Sutton ◽  
Laura Fischer ◽  
Michele M. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Protective Action ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Protective Actions ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Ability To Act ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Tornado Warning ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Action Guidance

AbstractEffective warning messages should tell people what they should do, how they should do it, and how to maximize their health and safety. Guidance essentially delivers two types of information: 1) information that instructs people about the actions to take in response to a threat, and 2) information about how and why these recommended protective actions will reduce harm. However, recent research reported that while automated tornado warnings, sent by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center via the account @NWStornado on Twitter, included useful information about the location of the threat, the potential impacts, and populations at risk, it failed to provide content that would contribute to successful protective actions. In this experimental study we investigate how the inclusion and presentation of protective action guidance affects participant perceptions of a tornado warning message and their perceived ability to act upon the information (i.e., self- and response-efficacy). We find that the inclusion of protective action guidance results an increase in the participants’ understanding of the message, their ability to decide what to do, and their perceived self- and response-efficacy. Knowing how to take action to protect oneself, and believing the actions will make oneself safe, are key motivators to taking action when faced with a significant threat. Future warning research should draw from other persuasive messaging and health behavior theories, and should include self- and response- efficacy as important causal factors. It should also look across additional hazards to determine if these outcomes differ by the length of forewarning and hazard type.

scholarly journals The Influence of Consequence-Based Messages on Public Responses to Tornado Warnings

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph T. Ripberger ◽  
Carol L. Silva ◽  
Hank C. Jenkins-Smith ◽  
Mark James
Keyword(s):  
Central Region ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Impact Categories ◽  
Severe Thunderstorm ◽  
Warning Message ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Tornado Warning ◽  
To Receive ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The Central Region Headquarters of the National Weather Service (NWS) recently launched an experimental product that supplements traditional tornado and severe thunderstorm warning products with information about the potential impact of warned storms. As yet, however, we know relatively little about the influence of consequence-based messages on warning responsiveness. To address this gap, we fielded two surveys of U.S. residents that live in tornado-prone regions of the country. Both surveys contained an experiment wherein participants were randomly assigned a consequence-based tornado warning message and asked to indicate how they would respond if they were to receive such a warning. Respondents that were assigned to higher-impact categories were more likely choose protective action than respondents assigned to lower-impact categories. There was, however, a threshold beyond which escalating the projected consequences of the storm no longer increased the probability of protective action. To account for this, we show that the relationship between consequence-based messages and protective action depends on the type of action being considered. At lower levels of projected impact, increasing the expected consequences of the storm simultaneously increased the probability that respondents selected a “shelter in place” or “leave residence” option. At higher levels of projected impact, this relationship changed—increasing the projected consequences of the storm decreased the probability that respondents would shelter in place and increased the probability that they would leave their residence for what they perceived to be a safer location. In some severe storm situations, this behavior may increase rather than decrease the risks.

scholarly journals Severe Weather Watches and Risk Perception in a Hypothetical Decision Experiment

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barrett F. Gutter ◽  
Kathleen Sherman-Morris ◽  
Michael E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Severe Weather ◽  
Severe Thunderstorm ◽  
Protective Actions ◽  
Dangerous Situation ◽  
Saturday Afternoon ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Tornado Warning

Abstract A great deal of research has been conducted regarding tornado warnings and protective actions taken, including some studies in which respondents were presented with hypothetical tornado warning scenarios. Much less research has been conducted in which respondents were presented with tornado watch scenarios, even though they cover a larger area and longer time period, thus potentially disrupting a far greater number of people. To address this lack of research, surveys were used to determine the influence of severe weather watches on planned Saturday afternoon and evening activities away from the immediate vicinity of the respondent’s home. Respondents were presented a hypothetical watch scenario, in which they had some activity planned for later that afternoon or evening. Each respondent rated his or her likelihood to continue an activity depending on the severity of the watch and the length of the activity. Respondents were provided information about each hypothetical watch including duration and primary threats. Responses from the survey indicated that as the severity of the watch or the length of the activity increased, the likelihood of the respondent continuing the activity decreased. For a severe thunderstorm watch, a tornado watch, and a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado watch, 36.1%, 51.2%, and 80.2% of the respondents, respectively, would not continue an activity lasting 30 min or longer.

scholarly journals Improving Tornado Warning Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Audiences

2021 ◽  
pp. 18-34
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
American Sign Language ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Local Television ◽  
Closed Captioning ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Live Broadcast ◽  
Tornado Warning ◽  
Action Decision

Although specialized personal and residential Deaf warning technologies exist, receipt and comprehension of tornado warning information from local television is often delayed or misunderstood because of closed-captioning deficiencies. In order to suggest improvements for the communication of tornado warnings to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) audiences, interviews and a focus group were conducted within the active tornado counties of Alabama. D/HoH individuals generally use more information sources than the hearing population to better understand their risk. Protective action decision-making by our sample was characterized by more hesitation, uncertainty, and indecision than in the hearing population. The most common suggestion for improving tornado-warning communication was to have an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter shown on screen with a local television meteorologist during a tornado warning. A split-screen television product with an ASL interpreter in a remote studio was prototyped showing that this type of live broadcast is possible for local tornado-warning coverage. Several screen formats were evaluated by a focus group with the conclusion that the ASL interpreter should be on the left side of the screen without obscuring any part of the weather broadcast. The split-screen product with an ASL interpreter resulted in full access to all broadcast information, the ability to make immediate safety decisions, and was welcomed with excitement by the focus-group participants. This modification, along with the education and preparedness efforts of the National Weather Service, help remedy the information gaps and comprehension delays of this underserved population.

scholarly journals Tornado Warning Trade-Offs: Evaluating Choices for Visually Communicating Risk

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin D. Ash ◽  
Ronald L. Schumann ◽  
Gregg C. Bowser
Keyword(s):  
Protective Action ◽  
Central Research ◽  
Hazard Communication ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Rapid Dissemination ◽  
Tornado Warning ◽  
Color Scheme ◽  
Probability Information ◽  
Extreme Responses

Abstract Recent improvements in weather observation and monitoring have increased the precision of tornado warnings. The National Weather Service currently issues storm-based tornado warnings, and even more geographically specific warnings that include probability information are under development. At the same time, the widespread proliferation of smartphone and mobile computing technology supports the rapid dissemination of graphical weather warning information. Some broadcasters and private companies have already begun using probabilistic-style tornado warning graphics. However, the development of these new types of warnings has occurred with limited research on how users interpret probabilistic visualizations. This study begins filling this void by examining responses to color scheme and relative position using probabilistic tornado warning designs. A survey of university students is used to measure the level of perceived fear and likelihood of protective action for a series of hypothetical warning scenarios. Central research questions investigate 1) differences in responses across warning designs, 2) clustering of extreme responses in each design, 3) trends in responses with respect to probability levels, 4) differences in responses inside versus outside the warnings, and 5) differences in responses near the edges of the warning designs. Results suggest a variety of trade-offs in viewer responses to tornado warnings based on visual design choices. These findings underscore the need for more comprehensive research on visualizations in weather hazard communication that can aid meteorologists in effectively warning the public and spur appropriate tornado protection behaviors in a timely manner.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Look at the Social Perspective of Warn-on-Forecast: Preferred Tornado Warning Lead Time and the General Public’s Perceptions of Weather Risks

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hoekstra ◽  
K. Klockow ◽  
R. Riley ◽  
J. Brotzge ◽  
H. Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lead Time ◽  
Stated Preference ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Lead Times ◽  
Present System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Tornado Warning ◽  
Weather Risks

Abstract Tornado warnings are currently issued an average of 13 min in advance of a tornado and are based on a warn-on-detection paradigm. However, computer model improvements may allow for a new warning paradigm, warn-on-forecast, to be established in the future. This would mean that tornado warnings could be issued one to two hours in advance, prior to storm initiation. In anticipation of the technological innovation, this study inquires whether the warn-on-forecast paradigm for tornado warnings may be preferred by the public (i.e., individuals and households). The authors sample is drawn from visitors to the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma. During the summer and fall of 2009, surveys were distributed to 320 participants to assess their understanding and perception of weather risks and preferred tornado warning lead time. Responses were analyzed according to several different parameters including age, region of residency, educational level, number of children, and prior tornado experience. A majority of the respondents answered many of the weather risk questions correctly. They seemed to be familiar with tornado seasons; however, they were unaware of the relative number of fatalities caused by tornadoes and several additional weather phenomena each year in the United States. The preferred lead time was 34.3 min according to average survey responses. This suggests that while the general public may currently prefer a longer average lead time than the present system offers, the preference does not extend to the 1–2-h time frame theoretically offered by the warn-on-forecast system. When asked what they would do if given a 1-h lead time, respondents reported that taking shelter was a lesser priority than when given a 15-min lead time, and fleeing the area became a slightly more popular alternative. A majority of respondents also reported the situation would feel less life threatening if given a 1-h lead time. These results suggest that how the public responds to longer lead times may be complex and situationally dependent, and further study must be conducted to ascertain the users for whom the longer lead times would carry the most value. These results form the basis of an informative stated-preference approach to predicting public response to long (>1 h) warning lead times, using public understanding of the risks posed by severe weather events to contextualize lead-time demand.

scholarly journals Management of workplace health & safety risks in new disability care arrangements

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Stavropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Support Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Training Models ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Direct Guidance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Types Of Information

The NDIS introduces changes to the level of control, choice and flexibility that persons with a disability can exercise over the services they require to support their individual needs. One of the main stays of NDIS is the ability for persons with a disability to utilise allocated funding how and with whom they choose to create a package of supports. Coinciding with the move towards the NDIS has been the introduction of the NSW WHS Act 2011. This Act introduces and broader new definitions relating to persons with responsibilities for ensuring health and safety at work. In some circumstances the individual person with a disability will be a direct employer, or an “other” in the workplace, and will take on responsibilities for health and safety for persons working in their home. For government organisations making funding decisions and allocating funds for the purchase of support services, there continues to be an obligation to ensure that services are conducted safely with risks to health adequately managed. NSW FACS can not “contract” out of their obligations. Instead we must work in partnership with all stakeholders to manage WHS risks as far as is reasonably practicable. Our role in government means we have the resources, experience, and must respond to the community expectation that we will support persons with a disability to understand and discharge their WHS obligations as far as is reasonably practicable. This is a way of operating presents the following questions: Do persons with disability understand the WHS obligations and risks associated with their care and supports? How to individuals with disability obtain sound advice and information on WHS risks that may be associated with their care arrangements? Can WHS information and resources that organisations like NSW Department of Family and Community Services (Ageing Disability and Home Care) have established be leverages to share with our “clients”? As Government partners in NDIS are we obligated to share our knowledge and information? What is the best way to bridge the gap in understanding and what types of information, tools and training can be made available on WHS for persons with a disability.A Joint WHS project currently underway within NSW FACS seeks to address the information and resources gap for all clients who participate in self directed funding arrangements (including NDIS). Our project will demonstrate how products and advice developed for internal staff use can be “reframed” and made accessible to persons with disability, their carers and individual service providers. The approach being applied within NSW FACS will potentially reduce costs in persons with disability being required to engage additional services to seek and develop WHS direct guidance and tools. The project being undertaken will deliver face to face training models, e-learning components and online information and tools to assist stakeholders in the NDIS and other Direct Funding Arrangements within NSW, to make informed decisions regarding WHS risk in the provision of care and support services. Guidance and information is provided on key risk areas utilising tested tools & WHS resources within the disability sector. E-learning solutions are made available to inform and train stakeholders of WHS obligations and potential risk management approaches. NSW FACS works with NGO stakeholders to ensure consistent advice and assistance is provided in the area of WHS obligations and performance expectations.

Abstract 110: Adiponectin Inhibits TNF-a-Induced Vascular Inflammatory Response via Caveolin-Mediated Ceramidase Recruitment and Activation

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajing Wang ◽  
Wayne Lau ◽  
Erhe Gao ◽  
Walter Koch ◽  
Xin Ma
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Protective Actions ◽  
Nitrative Stress ◽  
S1p Receptor ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
First Time

Anti-inflammatory and vascular protective actions of adiponectin (APN) are well-recognized. However, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. The current study attempted to identify the APN receptor subtype responsible for APN’s vascular protective action, and investigate the role of ceramidase activation in APN anti-inflammatory signaling. Wild type (WT) or gene manipulated HUVEC were treated with TNFα in the presence and absence of APN. The effect of APN on TNFα-induced inflammatory and oxidative/nitrative stress was determined. In WT HUVEC, APN significantly reduced TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression and attenuated TNFα-induced superoxide and peroxynitrite formation (P<0.01). These anti-inflammatory actions were virtually abolished by AdipoR1-, but not AdipoR2-, knockdown (KD). Treatment with APN significantly increased neutral ceramidase (nCDase) activity (3.7-fold, P<0.01). AdipoR1-KD markedly (P0.05), reduced APN-induced nCDase activation. More importantly, siRNA mediated nCDase-KD markedly blocked the effect of APN upon TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression (P0.05), and modestly inhibited APN anti-inflammatory effect (P87% of APN-induced nCDase activation was lost. Whereas APN treatment failed to inhibit TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression, treatment with S1P or SEW (S1P receptor agonist) remained effective in Cav1-KD cells in reducing TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression (P<0.01). AdipoR1 and Cav1 co-localized and co-precipitated in HUVECs. APN treatment did not affect this interaction. Moreover, re-expression of WT Cav1 in Cav1-KD cells restored nCDase activation in response to APN (P<0.01 vs. vehicle), whereas re-expression of a mutated Cav1 blocking AdipoR1/Cav1 interaction failed to restore APN-mediated nCDase activation. Finally, there is weak basal Cav1/nCDase interaction, which significantly increased following APN treatment. These results demonstrate for the first time that APN inhibits TNFα-induced inflammatory response via Cav1-mediated ceramidase recruitment and activation in an AdipoR1- dependent fashion.

An Analysis of 2016-2018 Tornadoes and National Weather Service Tornado Warnings across the contiguous United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan S. Bentley ◽  
Richard L. Thompson ◽  
Barry R. Bowers ◽  
Justin G. Gibbs ◽  
Steven E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
National Weather Service ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Tornado Warning ◽  
Weather Service

AbstractPrevious work has considered tornado occurrence with respect to radar data, both WSR-88D and mobile research radars, and a few studies have examined techniques to potentially improve tornado warning performance. To date, though, there has been little work focusing on systematic, large-sample evaluation of National Weather Service (NWS) tornado warnings with respect to radar-observable quantities and the near-storm environment. In this work, three full years (2016–2018) of NWS tornado warnings across the contiguous United States were examined, in conjunction with supporting data in the few minutes preceding warning issuance, or tornado formation in the case of missed events. The investigation herein examines WSR-88D and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) mesoanalysis data associated with these tornado warnings with comparisons made to the current Warning Decision Training Division (WDTD) guidance.Combining low-level rotational velocity and the significant tornado parameter (STP), as used in prior work, shows promise as a means to estimate tornado warning performance, as well as relative changes in performance as criteria thresholds vary. For example, low-level rotational velocity peaking in excess of 30 kt (15 m s−1), in a near-storm environment which is not prohibitive for tornadoes (STP > 0), results in an increased probability of detection and reduced false alarms compared to observed NWS tornado warning metrics. Tornado warning false alarms can also be reduced through limiting warnings with weak (<30 kt), broad (>1nm) circulations in a poor (STP=0) environment, careful elimination of velocity data artifacts like sidelobe contamination, and through greater scrutiny of human-based tornado reports in otherwise questionable scenarios.

scholarly journals Farm Health and Safety Issues

AAOHN Journal ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 391-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane M. Dewar
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Health And Safety Issues

This study identifies gender specific farm health and safety issues. Based on a sample from the 1988 New York Farm Family Survey, descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis were used to establish unique gender based profiles in terms of labor force participation, and prioritization of farm health and safety issues, concerns, and information sources. Based on the factor analysis, women's main farm health and safety issues included physical problems and occupational hazard screening needs, provider integrity, and economic incentives. Men's main issues consisted of accident related counseling needs, skin related hazards, and the farm related convenience of the services. Men and women had statistically significant differences in the types of information sources and reasons for using farm health and safety services. These differences imply that farm health and safety providers must consider both gender related information gathering and farm health and safety prioritizations to more efficiently allocate intervention resources, more effectively promote safety, and reduce the incidence of occupationally related morbidity and mortality in agriculture.

scholarly journals Cry Wolf Effect? Evaluating the Impact of False Alarms on Public Responses to Tornado Alerts in the Southeastern United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 549-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
JungKyu Rhys Lim ◽  
Brooke Fisher Liu ◽  
Michael Egnoto
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
False Alarm ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Protective Behavior ◽  
Tornado Warnings ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Impact

Abstract On average, 75% of tornado warnings in the United States are false alarms. Although forecasters have been concerned that false alarms may generate a complacent public, only a few research studies have examined how the public responds to tornado false alarms. Through four surveys (N = 4162), this study examines how residents in the southeastern United States understand, process, and respond to tornado false alarms. The study then compares social science research findings on perceptions of false alarms to actual county false alarm ratios and the number of tornado warnings issued by counties. Contrary to prior research, findings indicate that concerns about false alarm ratios generating a complacent public may be overblown. Results show that southeastern U.S. residents estimate tornado warnings to be more accurate than they are. Participants’ perceived false alarm ratios are not correlated with actual county false alarm ratios. Counterintuitively, the higher individuals perceive false alarm ratios and tornado alert accuracy to be, the more likely they are to take protective behavior such as sheltering in place in response to tornado warnings. Actual country false alarm ratios and the number of tornado warnings issued did not predict taking protective action.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document