National Storm Damage Center Hires Renowned Chief Meteorologist Rocco Calaci to Manage Its Revolutionary Storm-Tracking Technology
PLANO, TEXAS (PRWEB) December 12, 2014 -- The National Storm Damage Center (NSDC) has hired world-renowned Chief Meteorologist Rocco Calaci to manage its revolutionary storm-tracking technology and global meteorology team.
When NSDC principals Trevor Leeds and Dave Carlson were searching for a distinguished meteorologist, one name kept popping up: Calaci’s.
“We wanted the best – and he is the best,” says Leeds, CEO of the NSDC, which has developed a revolutionary forensic, geo-targeted technology that can detect every critical characteristic of an impending tornado and hurricane, including the precise addresses that will be most affected, and alert homeowners about the crisis through text messages – all in real time.
The ground-breaking technology required a top-rated and experienced meteorologist to monitor storm patterns to help homeowners in a time of crisis and eliminate “storm chasers” from taking advantage of consumers. Enter Calaci.
“Rocco is the best meteorologist in the country, if not the world,” says Carlson, the NSDC’s Executive Director. “His background and expertise of 40 years is in developing and monitoring weather statistics for the government and military, all over the globe.”
Calaci, a New York native who works and lives in Florida, helped write the specifications for Next-Generation Radar (Nexrad), a sophisticated technology that changed the world’s ability to track storms. The retired Air Force meteorologist was an expert witness in the Hurricane Katrina legal wars.
“Rocco is not only one of few meteorologists certified with NexRad, but he has spent thousands of hours of actual going in and using it, understanding it and applying it,” Carlson says.
Calaci has been directly involved for more than 30 years with the complex analysis, tracking and forecasting of tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons on a global scale. He has provided in-depth analysis and re-construction of every famous storm since the early 1990s.
“I am elated, honored and flattered to be involved in the NSDC’s groundbreaking venture,” he says. “Our approach is going to be completely different in how we track storms. We do it in real time with an emphasis on manual analysis rather than algorithm analysis.”
Algorithm analysis is only 60% accurate and it is not site-specific forecasting, so it cannot detect the precise location of a storm and the damage it will do. The NSDC improves accuracy to 95% and is site specific – in real time.
“Algorithms give you a broad brush approach,” Calaci says. “We’ll use algorithms and data and then an individual will look and see where the storm is tracking. If it is tracking more to the South, we’ll know that Mr. Jones, who lives more to the North, should be less concerned. We’ll also know that Mr. Smith, who lives more to the South, will need to be more aware of it. Currently, no one can do that.”
What the NSDC has done is introduce “a fine brush approach,” Calaci says.
“No one today is utilizing this concept,” he adds. “Other companies give you a general idea of what occurred over a general area during a storm. We’re site specific. If you ask what is happening at 123 Main St., we’ll tell you exactly what will occur, at what time, the ferocity of the storm, and the damage it is going to cause.”
When a storm hits, the NSDC machine will kick in, alerting homeowners, their children and certified building and roofing contractors through texts and emails about the impending storm, its exact path, its strength and the damage it will cause.
For homeowners and contractors to sign up for NDSC alerts and emails, call (888) 598-6980 or go to http://www.stormdamagecenter.org.
NSDC headquarters are located in Plano, Texas with offices in California.
For more media information, contact Rick(at)StormDamageCenter(dot)org or call (888) 598-6980 ext. 114.
Richard Edward, NSDC, +1 (888) 598-6980 Ext: 114, [email protected]
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