FEMA is an independent agency that prepares for emergencies and disasters, responds to them when they occur, and helps people and institutions recover from disasters with strategies and plans to help reduce loss, as well as prevent disasters.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA describes and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, and conserves and manages the nation's coastal and marine resources. Among its many services are:
- Climate Prediction Center
For U.S. monthly and seasonal temperature and precipitation forecasts, as well as the 2007 hurricane outlook.
- National Weather Service (NWS)
Probably the most well known section of the NOAA - provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts, and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters, and ocean areas.
U.S. Daily Weather Maps Project
From NOAA's Central Library - historical daily weather maps from 1871 to 2002. For weather maps from 2003 to present, go to: http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/dailywxmap/index.html
U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)
The USGCRP coordinates the research of several federal departments and agencies with active global change programs, and publishes reports and findings related to global warming. It helps us understand, assess, and predict global change.
Weather and Climate of WNC
Selected Library Sources and websites of Western North Carolina.