"On January 3-5, 1982, a major storm moved through central California producing widespread damage and death in seven San Francisco Bay Area counties as well as eleven other counties in northern and central California. A Presidential Declaration was issued to bring federal assistance to individuals in the affected counties. It is customary, following significant storm events, for the National Weather Service to evaluate the effectiveness of its forecast warning service. On January 6, 1982, a Regional Survey Team was dispatched to San Francisco, California. The team visited sites of heavy damage, interviewed federal, state, county officials, and citizens regarding actions taken in response to National Weather Service forecasts and Special Weather Statements. The findings of the Survey Team reinforce the need for an effective forecast and warning system that disseminates information in a timely manner and elicits appropriate response by the public"--Foreword.

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
National Weather Service (NWS)