On July 28, 2007, NWS Tallahassee (TAE) in collaboration with the SERFC, WFO Jacksonville (JAX), Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), Red Cross and two local volunteers had a very successful first hydrologic outreach event at Fanning Springs State Park. The focus of the outreach event was to introduce the general public with the latest information about AHPS related hydrologic products and services and other NWS hydrologic activities, as well as obtain feedback about products and services from prior flood events. Special thanks goes to the Fanning Springs State Park Ranger and his assistants for providing tables, chairs and electrical power.
The following members were in attendance:
SERFC - Senior Hydrologic Forecaster Wylie Quillian
WFO JAX - Forecaster Melissa Hurlbut (Hydrology Focal Point) and HMT Bob Kerns
WFO TAE - Senior Service Hydrologist Joel Lanier, Linda Lanier, Forecaster Mike Jamski (Hydrology Focal Point) and ITO Tony Freeman
SRWMD - Megan Wetherington (P.E., Water Resources Engineer)
Red Cross - Two volunteers
Local Volunteers - John and Susan Greiner
Fanning Springs State Park Ranger - Steve Davenport
The outreach booths were set up at the park entrance near the concession/canoe rental stand. Many of the members were there when the park opened at 8 am. There were three canopies, five tables, plenty of brochures, several posters, and a DVD/VHS TV playing hurricane and tornado videos. The park typically has 1200 visitors on a weekend day. About 600 people visited the park. The families and bathers were primarily interested in BBQ and swimming, so we became procactive. Melissa, Bob, Mike and Joel ventured out into the crowd. There were several boats tied up to the dock. They spoke to many people, striking up conversations and handing out brochures. A few large groups of people visited the booths. The park ranger also had the lifeguard use a bull horn to announce our presence to the crowd, just before a thunderstorm prompted the group to tear down and pack up.
Some suggestions for future outreach events were:
Include posters that are specific to the local river (past crest, low water history, gage network and hydro-geology).
Add signs to better explain why we are there (e.g., "NWS Fair").
Provide tornado, hurricane and flood videos for purchase--promote the NWS.
Advertise in local newspaper and news media.
Develop an annual plan for future outreach events; target large river festivals and fairs, as well as popular tourist springs.
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Pictured above (left to right): Melissa Hurlbut, Wylie Quillian, Bob Kerns, John Greiner, Susan Greiner, Joel Lanier, Mike Jamski, Steve Davenport.
Pictured above: Fanning Springs Swimming Area.
Please address questions or comments about this page to our Senior Service Hydrologist Joel Lanier or
Hydrology Focal Point Mike Jamski.
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