Hershey Entertainment Hershey Entertainment ComplexComplex

Severe Weather ResponseSevere Weather Response

OverviewOverview

19 May 201119 May 2011

TopicsTopics

–Types of WeatherTypes of Weather

–PreparednessPreparedness

–ResponseResponse

–RecoveryRecovery

–Stadium OverviewStadium Overview

THUNDERSTORMSTHUNDERSTORMS

Thunderstorms are generated by instability Thunderstorms are generated by instability in the lower atmosphere in the lower atmosphere

LIGHTNINGLIGHTNING

Lightning is simply a discharge of electricity Lightning is simply a discharge of electricity in the atmosphere. in the atmosphere.

TORNADOTORNADO

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air A tornado is a violently rotating column of air usually produced by severe thunderstorms usually produced by severe thunderstorms

OPERATIONAL EF SCALE    Courtesy of NOAA

EF Number 3 Second Gust (mph)

0 65-85

1 86-110

2 111-135

3 136-165

4 166-200

5 Over 200

TORNADOTORNADO

WINDWIND

Wind is caused by an imbalance of heating Wind is caused by an imbalance of heating from the sun from the sun

At what speed was the strongest wind gust in At what speed was the strongest wind gust in history measured?history measured?

253 mph on Australia's Barrow Island during 253 mph on Australia's Barrow Island during Cyclone Olivia in 1996 Cyclone Olivia in 1996

HAILHAIL

Water droplets freeze in the clouds.Water droplets freeze in the clouds.

How big was the largest known hailstone?How big was the largest known hailstone?

7”, almost 1lb 7”, almost 1lb

June 23, 2003 in Aurora, NebraskaJune 23, 2003 in Aurora, Nebraska

SLEETSLEET

Snow melts as it falls and then refreezes.Snow melts as it falls and then refreezes.

Freezing RainFreezing Rain

Rain freezes as is hits the ground.Rain freezes as is hits the ground.

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

NOAA Band Weather Alert RadioNOAA Band Weather Alert Radio Weather Sentry Lightning Strike Monitoring Weather Sentry Lightning Strike Monitoring

SystemSystem– One monitoring station located in Communications One monitoring station located in Communications

CenterCenter– One monitoring station located in the Maintenance One monitoring station located in the Maintenance

Administration offices, 2nd floor of Service CenterAdministration offices, 2nd floor of Service Center TelevisionTelevision InternetInternet

– www.weather.comwww.weather.com– www.weatherunderground.comwww.weatherunderground.com

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Anemometer - Wind GaugeAnemometer - Wind Gauge Closed Circuit TelevisionClosed Circuit Television

– Monitoring station located in Communications CenterMonitoring station located in Communications Center– Monitoring station located in GIANT Center Security Monitoring station located in GIANT Center Security

Dispatch office.Dispatch office. UHF Radio CommunicationsUHF Radio Communications Storm Spotter Trained Staff Storm Spotter Trained Staff NWS Bulletins issued through the Dauphin County NWS Bulletins issued through the Dauphin County

Emergency Management AgencyEmergency Management Agency

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Storm PhasesStorm Phases– Systematic means of closing attractions, for the Systematic means of closing attractions, for the

safety of guests and employees, as the severity safety of guests and employees, as the severity of weather increases. of weather increases.

– Six categories or phases, which are closed as Six categories or phases, which are closed as inclement weather approaches. inclement weather approaches.

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 0:Phase 0: Lightning activity is detected within (20) miles. Lightning activity is detected within (20) miles. Strike Guard will issue a Strike Guard will issue a CAUTIONCAUTION message. message.

Coastline PlungeCoastline PlungeEast Coast WaterworksEast Coast Waterworks

WaveriderWaveriderBayside PierBayside Pier

Sandcastle CoveSandcastle CoveIntercoastal WaterwayIntercoastal Waterway

The ShoreThe Shore

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 1:Phase 1:

Lightning or thunder is detected within (10) miles. Strike Lightning or thunder is detected within (10) miles. Strike Guard will issue a Guard will issue a WARNINGWARNING message. message.

Ferris WheelFerris Wheel Wild Mouse Wild MouseMonorailMonorail Great Bear Great BearStorm RunnerStorm Runner Wildcat WildcatSooperDooperLooperSooperDooperLooper Trailblazer TrailblazerCometComet SidewinderSidewinderLightning RacerLightning Racer Fahrenheit Fahrenheit

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 2:Phase 2:

Lightning or thunder is detected within (5) miles. Lightning or thunder is detected within (5) miles. Strike Guard will issue an Strike Guard will issue an ALARMALARM message. message.

Coal CrackerCoal Cracker Fun SlideFun Slide

Roller SoakerRoller Soaker PiratePirate

Tiny TimbersTiny Timbers The HowlerThe Howler

SkyviewSkyview The ClawThe Claw

Frontier FlyersFrontier Flyers Kissing Tower Kissing Tower

Flying FalconFlying Falcon Tidal ForceTidal Force

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 3:Phase 3:

Lightning Strikes are detected within (0) miles with Lightning Strikes are detected within (0) miles with increasingly worsening conditions. Strike Guard increasingly worsening conditions. Strike Guard will issue an will issue an ALARMALARM message. This phase may message. This phase may be called sooner depending on amount of be called sooner depending on amount of lightning, high wind or hail involved, and lightning, high wind or hail involved, and depending on the speed and direction of travel of depending on the speed and direction of travel of storm. storm.

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 3:Phase 3:

WaveswingerFrog Hopper

Music ExpressMini HimalayaBalloon Flight

Starship AmericaDry Gulch Station

Dry Gulch Engine House

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 4:Phase 4:

Severe weather conditions exist. This phase may Severe weather conditions exist. This phase may be called sooner depending on amount of be called sooner depending on amount of lightning, high wind or hail involved, and lightning, high wind or hail involved, and depending on the speed and direction of travel of depending on the speed and direction of travel of storm.storm.

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 4:Phase 4:TurnpikeTurnpike Tiny TracksTiny TracksMini ScramblerMini Scrambler Livery StablesLivery StablesMini PirateMini Pirate Swing ThingSwing ThingScramblerScrambler HelicoptersHelicoptersSpace AgeSpace Age Traffic JamTraffic JamBizzy BeesBizzy Bees Lady BugsLady BugsConvoyConvoy Dinosaur-Go-RoundDinosaur-Go-RoundRed BaronRed Baron Tilt-a-WhirlTilt-a-WhirlMiniature TrainMiniature Train Granny BugsGranny BugsPony ParadePony Parade Dizzy DrumsDizzy DrumsCarrouselCarrousel Fender BenderFender BenderWhipWhip Reese’s Extreme Cup ChallengeReese’s Extreme Cup Challenge

Parking Lot Tram OperationsParking Lot Tram OperationsCabana guests will be directed to other shelterCabana guests will be directed to other shelter

PREPAREDNESSPREPAREDNESS

Phase 5:Phase 5: Based upon the known or anticipated elements of a severe Based upon the known or anticipated elements of a severe weather incident, it is determined that present or future weather incident, it is determined that present or future conditions within Hersheypark are unsafe for employees conditions within Hersheypark are unsafe for employees and guests. and guests. – strong sustained winds that could produce airborne missiles,strong sustained winds that could produce airborne missiles,– NWS declaration of a tornado warning for the Hershey area, NWS declaration of a tornado warning for the Hershey area, – or other unsafe conditions that warrant the evacuation of midways or other unsafe conditions that warrant the evacuation of midways

and other unprotected areas of Hersheypark. and other unprotected areas of Hersheypark.

This phase will be enacted at the discretion of the Safety This phase will be enacted at the discretion of the Safety and Security Department after consulting with other and Security Department after consulting with other weather monitoring departments. weather monitoring departments.

RESPONSERESPONSE

The Safety and Security Department The Safety and Security Department communicates phase information to all communicates phase information to all Hersheypark radio units through the radio Hersheypark radio units through the radio dispatch console. dispatch console.

The Ride Operations Department The Ride Operations Department communicates information to all rides communicates information to all rides through a landline telephone system and to through a landline telephone system and to ride supervisors using two-way radios.ride supervisors using two-way radios.

RESPONSERESPONSE

Safety and Security will notify other HE&R Safety and Security will notify other HE&R properties of the impending weather.properties of the impending weather.– The Hotel HersheyThe Hotel Hershey– Hershey LodgeHershey Lodge– Hershey GardensHershey Gardens– Chocolate World (Phase 3)Chocolate World (Phase 3)

RESPONSERESPONSE

During Tornado Watches/warnings, S&S will During Tornado Watches/warnings, S&S will prepare to evacuate Hersheypark.prepare to evacuate Hersheypark.– Hersheypark ArenaHersheypark Arena

Hersheypark Public Address System will be Hersheypark Public Address System will be used to make notifications in conjunction used to make notifications in conjunction with staff clearing Park Zones.with staff clearing Park Zones.

Guests will be funneled into HPA using Guests will be funneled into HPA using designated perimeter gates.designated perimeter gates.

RESPONSERESPONSE

ShelteringSheltering– Guests and employees will be kept apprised of Guests and employees will be kept apprised of

situation by using bull horns and the HPA public situation by using bull horns and the HPA public address system.address system.

The “ALL CLEAR” will be given once the The “ALL CLEAR” will be given once the storm passes.storm passes.

Guests will re-enter the Park through Gates Guests will re-enter the Park through Gates #4, #6, and the Main Gates.#4, #6, and the Main Gates.

RECOVERYRECOVERY

All Departments should check work areas All Departments should check work areas for standing water and clogged storm drains.for standing water and clogged storm drains.

Damage Assessments should be conducted Damage Assessments should be conducted by all Departments. Damaged property by all Departments. Damaged property should be reported to the S&S Department.should be reported to the S&S Department.

Hersheypark StadiumHersheypark Stadium

If inclement weather is anticipated during a If inclement weather is anticipated during a Stadium event:Stadium event:– S&S will coordinate response measures with S&S will coordinate response measures with

event organizers/promoter.event organizers/promoter.– During Hersheypark Phase 3, all Stadium During Hersheypark Phase 3, all Stadium

guests will be directed to shelter under the guests will be directed to shelter under the grandstands or return to their vehicles.grandstands or return to their vehicles.

– Event’s sound system, or the Stadium PA Event’s sound system, or the Stadium PA system, will be used to communicate to guests.system, will be used to communicate to guests.

QUESTIONS??QUESTIONS??