PILOT PROJECT WEATHER EVENT STATUS

Tropical Storm Lani is now showing wind speeds averaging a consistent 60-65 miles per hour (mph). Current tracking and modeling point to an expectation that Tropical Storm Lani will develop sufficiently over the next several days to reach the threshold criteria to become classified as a Category 1 hurricane – i.e., sustained wind speeds of 74-95 mph. Over the last several days, Tropical Storm Lani has continued a somewhat westerly direction now approximately 1,100 miles east of Puerto Rico. The latest forecast is still projecting a landfall to the U.S. east coast between Norfolk VA and Charleston, SC. The next forecast is expected to provide a more defined landfall area of focus once then-Hurricane Lani's path is better estimated based on nearing populated land masses within the northern Caribbean geographical area. Based on a projected Hurricane Lani landfall between the Norfolk, VA and Charleston, SC geographical area, conduct your own research to recommend which two (2) emergency support functions (ESFs) you deem as "most important" for preparedness and subsequent response/recovery emergency management support activities related to Hurricane Lani. Briefly provide rationale for your recommendation.