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• <br /> PC Exhibit B <br /> Hennepin County Memo <br /> Hennepin -- <br /> Hennepin County Emergency Management Phone: 612-596-0757 <br /> 1600 Prairie Drive Fax: 763-478-4001 <br /> Medina MN 55340-5421 TDD: 763-478-4030 <br /> Date: November 30, 2016 <br /> To: City of Orono <br /> From: Sarah Karel, Meteorology Coordinator—Hennepin County Emergency Management <br /> Subject: Hennepin County Orono Truck Shop Weather Station <br /> Accurate and timely weather, climate, and hydrologic data are essential to maintain the health, safety and <br /> welfare of Hennepin County communities. Hennepin County Emergency Management is developing the <br /> Hennepin West Mesonet to closely monitor hazards. Violent weather that forms tornadoes, extreme <br /> winds, lightning,hail and flash flooding can strike quickly during the summer. In winter, blizzards, <br /> sustained heat waves and arctic cold blasts can harm vulnerable people. Deep frosts can disable essential <br /> services such as water and sewer. Detailed weather information is also critical to public alert and <br /> emergency operations including severe weather warning, firefighting, flood control,and toxic material <br /> response, for example. Currently, official weather sensors are designed and located to serve just a few <br /> sectors,principally aviation and major freeway networks, Hennepin County Emergency Management is <br /> building a system that leverages existing official weather sensors,and identifies and fills and coverage <br /> gaps.The system also adds important new capabilities that will aid decision making by governments and <br /> emergency responders. This software project will ensure that Hennepin West Mesonet data will also be <br /> easily accessible to researches, industry and the public to multiple uses and benefits of this information. A <br /> 30 foot aluminum structure holds most of the sensors that detect wind speed,direction, temperature, <br /> humidity and barometric pressure. Rain gauges and soil sensors are placed on or in the ground nearby. <br /> Stations use solar energy and require no external power. Data is sent via cellular phone or radio to the <br /> network data base. A steel base is used with iron rods in each corner to keep it firm on the ground. 3 guy <br /> wires are screw anchored into the ground to keep tower from tipping or swaying. Total construction from <br /> start to finish takes 2-3 days and is done by Hennepin County Emergency Management. <br /> Our partner coalition currently includes: The National Weather Service(NWS),the Minnesota <br /> Department of Transportation, City of Minneapolis, Three Rivers Par District, Minnehaha Watershed <br /> District, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric, City of Maple Grove, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota <br /> Natural Resources—State Climatology Office. <br /> Sincerel <br /> c\''LN'/L <br /> Sarah Karel RECEIVED <br /> Meteorology Coordinator <br /> DEC 12 2016 <br /> # 86 CITY OF ORONO <br />