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<br />Thursday. July 11 <br /> <br />1 :45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />A Service Perspective of the <br />Eastern Region Flash Flood Program <br /> <br />Solomon Summer <br />National Weather Science <br />Eastern Region <br /> <br />A discussion of recent flood and flash flood events in the Eastern Region show that while a <br />number of advancements in the ERINWS Flash Flood Program have been made since 1979, <br />there are still areas where significant improvements are yet to be reaJi...ed. A comparative <br />analysis of operational deficiencies associated with the Big Thompson event and recent East <br />Coast flood events will be provided. <br /> <br />Big Thompson Flash Flood <br />What if IT Happened Again? <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />John F. Henz <br />Henz Meteorological Services <br /> <br />Significant changes have taken place in the operational approach to flash flood prediction since <br />the 1976 occurrence of the Big Thompson Flash Flood in July 1976. Improvements in the <br />observational capabilities afforded by the addition of automated surface weather observation, <br />rainfall and streamflow networks, NEXRAD WSR-88D radar sites and GOES-8 Satellite photos <br />should allow early detection of both the meteorological causes and the rainfall effects of a <br />similar thunderstonn system. An enhanced understanding of flash flood potential which could <br />be used to alert emergency response community and the public of the potential weather threat <br /> <br />The question remains, however, "Will that be enough to avert another serious loss of life in the <br />Big Thompson Canyon to another popular Colorado recreation area given the occurrence of <br />another disastrous flash flood?" Have we really learned our lesson or have we left enough <br />loopholes to allow another disaster to occur? <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />3 <br />