The Emergency Management Network Podcast

This podcast episode elucidates the significant meteorological events currently affecting various regions of the United States, with particular emphasis on the hazardous winter conditions prevailing in the Pacific Northwest and the upper Midwest. The discussion highlights the imminent heavy snowfall, with accumulations reaching up to several feet in the Cascades and northern Blues, thereby necessitating caution for travel through these regions. Additionally, the episode addresses the presence of dense fog along the Texas coast, which is impairing visibility and posing risks for commuters. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of vigilance against fraudulent activities targeting storm survivors, as advised by FEMA. In summation, the episode serves as a critical resource for understanding current weather patterns and ensuring safety amidst these challenging conditions.Takeaways:* Weather conditions across the United States today are characterized by significant winter storm warnings.* The Cascades and northern Blue Mountains are expected to receive substantial snowfall, impacting travel significantly.* Residents in Alaska are cautioned against scams following recent storm events and should verify assistance offers.* Dense fog is affecting visibility along the Texas coast, which poses risks for motorists and marine activities.* Winter weather advisories are in effect for regions in Idaho, indicating up to six inches of snow expected.* Hazardous surf conditions continue along the North Coast of California, urging caution for beachgoers.Sources[USGS M4.5 AK | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ak2026ajuvvj][Tsunami.gov status | https://tsunami.gov/][ USGS M4.8 Aleutians | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000rmut][ FEMA Fraud Advisory (DR-4893) | https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4893/news-media][NWS SF Bay Area Flood Advisory — Monterey | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lox&wwa=all#KMTR_FA_Monterey][NWS Eureka Coastal Hazard Message | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sto&wwa=all][NWS San Diego outlook | https://www.weather.gov/sgx/][NWS Pocatello WWA | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=boi&wwa=winter+weather+advisory][Idaho City advisory window | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.74565&lon=-115.493][NWS Twin Cities — Dense Fog Advisory | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=dense+fog+advisory][NWS Billings — Wind Advisory | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=wind+advisory][NWS Buffalo — Winter Weather Advisory | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=buf&wwa=all][NWS Pendleton — Blue Mountains WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+storm+warning][NWS Marine — Galveston Bay Dense Fog Advisory | https://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=gmz335&syn=gmz300][NWS Fort Worth — advisories/outlook | https://www.weather.gov/fwd/][NWS Spokane/Pendleton — WSW (Stevens Pass & E slopes) | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+storm+warning][NWS Twin Cities — Dense Fog Advisory (WI counties included) | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=dense+fog+advisory][NWS Cheyenne — High Wind Warnings | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=high+wind+warning][NWS Cheyenne homepage (active hazards) | https://www.weather.gov/cys/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Episode TitleThe Silent Failure Mode: When Nothing HappensEpisode DescriptionIn emergency management, success is often defined by what doesn’t happen. No disasters. No major incidents. No headlines. And for a while, that quiet feels like validation.But over time, silence can become dangerous.In this episode, we explore the silent failure mode—the slow erosion of preparedness that occurs during long periods without crisis. When nothing happens, budgets shrink, plans gather dust, institutional memory fades, and readiness quietly degrades. The system does not fail loudly. It simply thins out.This conversation is not about blaming leaders or chasing fear. It is about recognizing complacency as a structural risk and understanding why preparedness has a shelf life, even when everything appears calm.If you have ever been told “we haven’t needed that in years,” this episode is for you.What We Explore• Why quiet years are often the most dangerous for emergency management programs• How “no incidents” can be misread as proof that preparedness is unnecessary• The political and organizational incentives that reward visibility over readiness• Complacency as a hidden hazard inside stable systems• Why preparedness degrades without friction, rehearsal, and institutional memory• How emergency managers can reframe value when nothing is actively happeningKey TakeawaysPreparedness is not a permanent state.Silence is not evidence of resilience.Readiness requires maintenance, storytelling, and intentional friction.The absence of crisis is not success—it is a test of discipline.Who This Episode Is For• Local and state emergency managers• Public safety leaders navigating budget pressure• Policy professionals and city managers• Anyone responsible for readiness in quiet times• Practitioners trying to explain the value of preparedness without a disaster This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

The principal focus of this morning’s briefing is the severe weather conditions currently affecting the western United States, particularly driven by a potent Pacific storm. This meteorological phenomenon is resulting in significant rainfall at lower elevations and heavy snowfall in mountainous regions, thereby posing serious travel hazards across various states. The National Weather Service has identified the western region as the primary area of concern, with additional advisories issued for blizzard conditions and coastal hazards. We shall also note that there are no active tropical cyclones reported in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific during this off-season period. As we navigate through the particulars of each state and their respective weather warnings, it remains imperative to exercise caution during travel in these affected areas.Takeaways:* A strong Pacific storm is currently impacting the western United States with heavy rain and snow.* The National Weather Service emphasizes the western region as the primary area of concern today.* Hazardous travel conditions are prevalent in various states, particularly in the Sierra and Idaho regions.* Alaska is experiencing severe winter hazards, including blizzard warnings and flood advisories along coastal areas.* Southern California beaches are under high surf warnings due to increased rip currents and tidal overflow risks.* The National Hurricane Center reports no active tropical cyclones during this off-season period.Sources[NWS Anchorage Hazards | https://www.weather.gov/afc][AFC Marine/High Surf detail | https://www.weather.gov/afc][NWS Reno — Lake Tahoe WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NVZ002&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning][NWS Sacramento — Sierra WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sto&wwa=winter+storm+warning][NWS Eureka — Navarro River Flood Watch | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=mtr&wwa=all][NWS LOX — Beach Hazards | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lox&wwa=beach+hazards+statement][NWS SGX — Beach Hazards | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?product1=Beach+Hazards+Statement&warnzone=CAZ043][Cal OES pre-positioning — Jan 3–5 | https://news.caloes.ca.gov/new-years-storm-prepositioned-resources/][NWS Honolulu — Area Synopsis | https://www.weather.gov/hfo][HFO Surf/Advisories | https://www.weather.gov/hfo/SRF][HFO Watches/Warnings | https://www.weather.gov/hfo/watchwarn][NWS Pocatello — Warning | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=slc&wwa=winter+storm+warning][NWS Boise — Advisory/AFD | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=BOI&product=AFD&site=boi][NWS Reno — Tahoe WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NVZ002&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning][NWS Medford — Advisory & Watch | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=eka&wwa=all][NWS Salt Lake City — Advisories | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=slc&wwa=winter+weather+advisory][NWS SLC — Warnings/Map | https://www.weather.gov/slc/][NWS Spokane — Mountain Snow | https://www.weather.gov/otx/][WSDOT Pass Reports | https://www.wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountain-pass-reports] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

Coastal flooding risks on the West Coast demand immediate attention as we navigate through the atmospheric conditions affecting various regions. The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning for the San Francisco Bay, effective from 7 AM today until 2 PM Saturday, emphasizing the potential for significant tidal overflow and low-lying road closures. Additionally, a winter storm warning is in effect for the Sierra Nevada and adjacent ranges, where heavy snow accumulation is anticipated, thereby complicating travel across affected areas. Moreover, hazardous marine conditions persist in parts of Alaska, with warnings of heavy freezing spray and elevated sea conditions. As we delve into this episode, we shall provide a comprehensive overview of these critical weather alerts and their implications across the United States.Takeaways:* The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning for the San Francisco Bay area, effective from today until Saturday afternoon.* Coastal flood advisories are in effect for the broader Pacific coast and Monterey Bay through Sunday, indicating significant tidal concerns.* Winter storm warnings have been issued for the Sierra Nevada region, with heavy snowfall anticipated and travel difficulties expected.* Hazardous marine conditions persist in parts of Alaska, with warnings for heavy freezing spray and rough seas over the weekend.* In New York, winter weather advisories remain active, particularly for areas experiencing lake effect snow, leading to hazardous road conditions.* The Pacific Northwest is under a coastal flood warning due to king tides, with potential tidal overflow affecting low-lying areas.Sources[NWS Alaska | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Heavy+Freezing+Spray+Warning][NDBC Marine | https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZAK52.PAFC.html][NWS Bay Area | https://www.weather.gov/mtr/][NWS Hazard Statement | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ006&product1=Coastal+Flood+Warning][NWS Sacramento | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sto&wwa=winter+storm+warning][NBC Bay Area recap | https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/wind-coastal-flood-advisories/4006265/][NWS Honolulu Surf | https://www.weather.gov/hfo/SRF][NWS Honolulu Coastal Flood Statement | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=all][NWS Gray/Portland | https://www.weather.gov/gyx/][NWS Marquette | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory][NWS Gaylord | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory][NWS Reno | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=REV&product=WSW&site=rev][NWS Buffalo | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=NYZ085&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook][NWS Albany/BGM Advisories | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory][NWS Cleveland | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+weather+advisory][NWS Portland | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pqr&wwa=all][NWS Cleveland (NW PA) | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=buf&wwa=hazardous+weather+outlook][NWS Seattle | https://www.weather.gov/sew/][NWS SEW Coastal Flood products | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sew&wwa=all][NWS Copalis/MapClick | https://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php?inputstring=98536] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe

A Message to Our EMN Community — 2026As we step into 2026, I want to pause and say thank you.Emergency management rarely affords us clean endings or fresh starts. Crises overlap, risks compound, and the work continues whether the calendar turns or not. Still, this moment matters. It’s a chance to reflect on what we’ve learned, recalibrate where we’re headed, and recommit to the craft and calling of this profession.At EMN, our purpose remains steady: to create space for thoughtful analysis, honest conversation, and practitioner-driven insight. Not noise. Not performative urgency. But work that helps emergency managers think more clearly, decide more deliberately, and lead with humility in uncertain moments.In 2026, EMN will continue leaning into the hard questions—about governance, leadership, federalism, risk communication, resilience, and the human side of disasters that rarely make the after-action report. We’ll challenge assumptions, elevate voices from the field, and stay grounded in the reality that disasters begin and end locally, with people.Thank you for being part of this community—reading, listening, questioning, and contributing. The profession is better when we learn together.Wishing you a steady hand, clear judgment, and a safe and meaningful year ahead.— Todd This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe