The Emergency Management Network Podcast

This podcast episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current meteorological conditions affecting various regions across the United States, emphasizing a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms in the Southern Plains. We meticulously detail the potential for isolated hail and gusty winds, particularly during the evening and overnight hours. Moreover, the episode highlights the risk of excessive rainfall, which may lead to broader flooding threats extending eastward over the weekend. We also caution listeners about hazardous conditions, including low water crossings along the California and Oregon coasts, as well as significant beach hazards characterized by powerful rip currents and sneaker waves. Conclusively, we urge our audience to remain vigilant and prioritize safety as we navigate these adverse weather conditions.
Takeaways:
* The Storm Prediction Center has issued a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms in the Southern Plains today.
* Isolated hail and gusty winds are anticipated this evening and overnight in affected regions.
* A broader threat of heavy rain and flooding is expected to expand eastward over the weekend.
* Hazardous conditions may arise at low water crossings along the California and Oregon coasts this weekend.
* Beach hazards are in effect due to sneaker waves and strong rip currents on northwest facing beaches.
* A notable earthquake occurred near Ivanoff Bay, Alaska, but no tsunami alert was issued.
Sources
[USGS | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?extent=-89.50704%2C-547.03125&extent=89.50096%2C577.96875&listOnlyShown=true&timeZone=utc]
[NWS SF Bay Area | https://www.weather.gov/mtr/]
[NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard | https://www.weather.gov/lox/]
[NWS Tampa Bay | https://www.weather.gov/tbw/]
[NWS Melbourne | https://www.weather.gov/mlb/]
[USGS Event Page | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000s8ml/executive]
[SPC | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1]
[NWS Portland | https://www.weather.gov/pqr/]
[NWS Houston/Galveston | https://www.weather.gov/hgx/]
[SPC Day 1 Outlook | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=txt&issuedby=DY1&product=SWO&site=JKL&version=1]


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The primary focus of today’s discussion centers on the severe weather conditions impacting various regions across the United States, with particular emphasis on the blizzard warnings currently in effect for Alaska. I delineate the perilous situation along the Bering Strait coast, where visibility has been markedly reduced, creating treacherous travel conditions. Furthermore, I address the persistent lake effect snow advisories affecting parts of central New York, which pose significant challenges during the morning commute. We also touch upon the high surf advisory in Hawaii, cautioning against strong currents that may endanger those on the east-facing shores. Additionally, I highlight the recent updates issued by FEMA concerning flood maps for Cochise County, Arizona, urging residents to familiarize themselves with the new information to better understand their flood risk.
Takeaways:
* Alaska currently faces severe blizzard warnings, significantly impairing visibility and travel safety.
* The Great Lakes region continues to experience persistent lake effect snow, affecting morning commutes.
* In Hawaii, a high surf advisory is in effect, creating hazardous conditions along east facing shores.
* FEMA has issued updated flood maps for Cochise County, necessitating local residents to review their risk assessments.
* The National Weather Service anticipates additional winter weather advisories for Central New York into the afternoon.
* Overall, there are no significant updates from other states affecting national weather conditions today.
Sources
[NWS Fairbanks Blizzard Warnings | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=blizzard+warning]
[NWS Map (example: Gambell) | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=63.37539&lon=-171.715146]
[FEMA — Cochise County Flood Maps Update | https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260211/fema-updates-flood-maps-cochise-county]
[NWS Honolulu — Coastal Hazard Message | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=HFO&product=CFW&site=hfo]
[NWS (Albany text feed for advisory counties) | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=aly&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]


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This morning, I present significant weather developments across Alaska and the contiguous United States, particularly highlighting the blizzard and winter weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service. As we navigate through perilous travel conditions and potential whiteout scenarios, it is imperative to remain vigilant, especially in areas affected by strong southerly winds and gusts reaching up to 70 mph in Southern California. Additionally, I will provide an overview of recent seismic activity, which remains minimal, with a recorded minor earthquake near Toya, Texas, that has not resulted in any reported damage. We will also discuss the updated assistance information from FEMA regarding Hurricane Helene, urging survivors to review program details and impending deadlines. Throughout this briefing, we shall continue to monitor and relay active alerts and official updates to ensure public safety and preparedness.
Takeaways:
* The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for various regions in Alaska, indicating severe weather conditions.
* California is experiencing strong southerly winds that may lead to downed limbs and hazardous travel for high-profile vehicles.
* FEMA has updated its Hurricane Helene assistance page, providing essential information for survivors seeking support.
* New York is under winter weather advisories due to lake effect snow, impacting travel and road conditions significantly today.
* A minor earthquake was recorded in Texas, though no significant damage or impacts were reported in the area.
* Active weather alerts will be monitored throughout the day to ensure public safety and awareness.
Sources
[NWS San Diego | https://kesq.com/weather/alerts-weather/2026/02/11/high-wind-warning-issued-february-11-at-324am-pst-until-february-11-at-100pm-pst-by-nws-san-diego-ca/]
[NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard — Watches/Warnings | https://www.weather.gov/lox/]
[NWS Fairbanks — DSS Winter | https://www.weather.gov/afg/dsswinter]
[NWS Juneau — Hazards | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=59.6702&lon=-135.5379]
[NWS Buffalo — Advisory | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?product1=Winter+Weather+Advisory&warnzone=NYZ006]
[NWS Albany — Advisory | https://www.weather.gov/aly/winterheadlines]
[USGS Latest Earthquakes | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/]


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The salient point of this morning’s briefing centers on the imminent weather developments affecting various regions across the United States. A significant wintry mix is forecasted for parts of the Northeast, accompanied by accumulating snow from late today into early Wednesday. Concurrently, California is poised to experience a modest atmospheric river, resulting in periods of rain at lower elevations and snowfall at higher altitudes. The ongoing volcanic activity in Hawaii remains a subject of interest, as Kilauea’s summit inflation suggests a potential eruption window later this week, although no new lava has emerged. In Texas, wildfire activity has intensified, prompting officials to request public caution in affected areas. We will continue to monitor these evolving situations and provide timely updates.
Takeaways:
* The National Weather Service has issued warnings regarding a wintry mix and accumulating snow in the Northeast.
* California is preparing for a modest atmospheric river bringing rain and high elevation snow this week.
* Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano remains paused, but scientists predict a potential eruption later this week.
* Texas is currently experiencing increased wildfire activity, prompting officials to request public caution in affected areas.
* Winter weather advisories are in effect for upstate New York, indicating expected snow and hazardous conditions.
* Overall, there have been no significant weather updates or damaging events reported in the other states.
Sources
[NWS Western Region overview | https://www.weather.gov/wrh]
[California-Nevada River Forecast Center — Daily Briefing/Guidance | https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/]
[USGS HVO — Kīlauea Volcano Updates (updated within 24h) | https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates]
[NWS Boston/Norton point & discussion (example Boston) | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=42.35896682739258&lon=-71.06539916992188]
[NWS Boston/Norton — Weather Story | https://www.weather.gov/box/weatherstory]
[NWS Albany Area Forecast Discussion/advisories | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=ALY&product=AFD&site=ALY]
[NWS point forecast example — Poughkeepsie (wintry mix tonight) | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.7&lon=-73.93]
[KVII (Amarillo) — “Wildhorse” grass fire | https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/crews-battling-grassfire-south-of-mlk-memorial-park-texas-am-forest-service-hughes-street-lanake-amarillo-amarillo-fire-department-fire-weather-warning]
[MySA — Hill Country 175-acre brush fire | https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/hill-country/article/brush-fire-blanco-gillespie-county-21342506.php]
[Texas A&M Forest Service — Current Wildfire Status | https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/wildfire-and-other-disasters/current-wildfire-status/


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Building Resilience: Emergency Management in Tough TimesIn this episode of the EMN Podcast, host Dan Scott is joined by Andrew Boyarsky, stepping in for the unwell Todd DeVoe.
The conversation emphasizes how tough times shape stronger leaders and improve emergency preparedness.
They delve into the critical role of community engagement, the challenges posed by funding cuts, the need for mental health support for emergency managers, and the necessity of comprehensive planning and mitigation.
The episode concludes with a call for better implementation of preparedness measures to build a more robust emergency management system.00:00 Introduction to the EMN Podcast00:52 Weather Updates and Their Impact02:12 The Cycle of Resilience06:15 Mental Health in Emergency Management09:11 Proactive vs. Reactive Emergency Management11:02 Challenges in Emergency Management16:41 Community and Government Roles29:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Welcome to our latest entry in the EMN Media blog, where we dive deep into the critical realms where philosophy meets disaster and uncomfortable truths are unearthed in emergency management. Today’s discussion centers on the need for proactive measures to prepare for emergencies, an area we believe is sometimes overlooked in favor of reactive tactics.The Changing Climate of Emergency ManagementIn a recent episode of the EMN Podcast, Andrew Boyarsky and I, Dan Scott, explored how the harsh winter conditions and unpredictable weather patterns expose the readiness—or lack thereof—of our emergency management strategies. From the cold blasts gripping the Northeast to unseasonably warm temperatures on the West Coast, these climate anomalies are not just weather concerns—they’re a pressing call to action for emergency preparedness.Responding vs. ReactingA recurring theme we discussed was the distinction between responding and reacting. A reaction happens when we’re unprepared, while a response is a calculated, prepared action. I find that as emergency managers, we often fall into the trap of reacting to emergencies rather than responding to them.Planning and preparation are key to improving emergency response. It’s critical for us to get ahead of events and anticipate both the predictable and the unexpected. Andrew’s insights into mental health resilience for emergency managers themselves highlighted the need for a strong, prepared mindset alongside physical preparedness.Resilience Through Tough Times“Tough times make strong people,” as the saying goes, and we are firmly in challenging times. These conditions are ripe for growth, not just for individuals but for the entire field of emergency management. Our discussion emphasized building resilience not only in personal well-being but also in the systems and communities we serve.The Role of Research and Proactive MeasuresIn our dialogue, I emphasized the need to use existing research to advocate for proactive emergency measures. The focus during "blue sky" days, when it seems all is quiet, should be on mitigation, preparedness, and sound planning. As we discussed, addressing these issues up front costs significantly less than dealing with the fallout from being underprepared.The Importance of Community and PartnershipsAndrew and I also talked about the crucial role of community engagement and partnerships in emergency management. With potential funding cuts looming, collaboration with faith-based organizations and other community partners could help fill gaps in resources and capabilities.ConclusionIn summary, today’s hardships can be tomorrow’s triumphs if we approach them with the right strategies. The lesson here, I believe, is clear: invest in preparation early, build resilient systems, and engage with the community to ensure a stronger, more capable response to whatever challenges come your way.If you're an emergency manager or involved in your community's safety efforts, I urge you to consider how you can implement more preventative strategies in your area. The work we do today will define how well we manage the inevitable crises of tomorrow.Thank you for joining us in this conversation. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Andrew Boyarsky for his insights and to Todd DeVoe, who, despite being unable to join us in person, was with us in spirit and added valuable commentary throughout. Let’s continue to prepare for a safe and resilient future, and as always, stay informed and stay safe.


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