[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70971-70972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29575]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Societal 
Response to Tornado Warnings

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Weather Service, seeking to expand on existing 
developing social science, wishes to examine the societal impacts of 
tornado warnings, specifically the methods of receipt, response, and 
the impact of false alarms on the rate in which protective actions are 
followed.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 17, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Justin Gibbs, (702) 263-9744 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Following a particularly deadly year of tornadoes in the United 
States despite the existence of adequate warning information, the need 
is apparent for specialized survey data involving the societal response 
to the National Weather Service warning system. The agency currently 
operates with theoretical understanding of warning response from 
previous social science studies from scholars such as Drabek, Lindell, 
Gruntfest, and others. More recent data involving the false alarm ratio 
as a hindrance to the seeking of protective action has been released by 
Simmons and Sutter. All of these data however lack specific, direct 
responses from the public regarding how they handle weather related 
phenomena, specifically tornado warnings. Approximately 16,000 surveys 
would be distributed to four different cities. The results would be 
compared from one area of forecast responsibility to another to 
determine if differing verification statistics indicate any change in 
response and readiness.
    This project seeks to enhance our understanding by focusing 
specifically on the tornado warning program and its response in an 
effort to take steps to reduce loss of life in future tornado events.

II. Method of Collection

    A questionnaire and a self-addressed postage-paid envelope will be 
mailed to respondents.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular (new information collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 2 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 67.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

[[Page 70972]]

(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: November 10, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-29575 Filed 11-15-11; 8:45 am]
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