Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110
§3611 Assessing and Modeling Named Storms Over Coastal States
Title 33 › CHAPTER 49 — INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM › § 3611
Summary
The NOAA Administrator must build and run an official computer model by December 31, 2020 that uses measured storm data to recreate winds, rain, storm surge, and timing for named storms. The model must be at least 90% accurate for cases used in indeterminate loss claims. The public can give input before the model or big changes take effect. When a named storm may threaten a coastal State, NOAA and the Department of Homeland Security will identify it. If sustained winds of 39 miles per hour or more hit a coastal State, the Secretary of Homeland Security has 30 days to tell NOAA if there are any indeterminate losses. If there are, NOAA must make a post-storm scientific assessment using the model and the collected data and give it to Homeland Security within 90 days. NOAA can place or buy sensors, give priority to high-risk coastal areas, coordinate with other agencies, let partners share data, and must publish the model and assessments. NOAA must set a data-collection protocol by December 31, 2020 and create the “Coastal Wind and Water Event Database” within one year after July 6, 2012. The Comptroller General must audit federal data-collection efforts and report within one year after July 6, 2012. The Administrator’s certified accuracy for an assessment is final. Defined terms (one line each): COASTAL Formula — the method in another law used for allocating losses; Coastal State — the coastal area definition from another law, except places with an operational wind and flood system; Coastal waters — as defined elsewhere; Covered data — the storm measurements needed to model damage; Indeterminate loss — the loss type named in the COASTAL Formula law; Named storm — a tropical storm or hurricane given a name with sustained winds of at least 39 mph; Named Storm Event Model — the official computer model NOAA must build; Participant — a federal, state, or private group that helps collect and keep covered data; Post-storm assessment — the NOAA scientific report made from the model for use in the COASTAL Formula; State — the States, DC, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §3611
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Definitions
In this section: (1) COASTAL Formula
(2)Coastal State
The term “coastal State” has the meaning given the term “coastal state” in section 1453 of title 16, except that the term shall not apply with respect to a State or territory that has an operational wind and flood loss allocation system.
(3)Coastal waters
The term “coastal waters” has the meaning given the term in such section.
(4)Covered data
The term “covered data” means, with respect to a named storm identified by the Administrator under subsection (b)(2)(A), empirical data that are—
(A)collected before, during, or after such storm; and
(B)necessary to determine magnitude and timing of wind speeds, rainfall, the barometric pressure, river flows, the extent, height, and timing of storm surge, topographic and bathymetric data, and other measures required to accurately model and assess damage from such storm.
(5)Indeterminate loss
The term “indeterminate loss” has the meaning given the term in section 4057(a) of title 42.
(6)Named storm
The term “named storm” means any organized weather system with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour which the National Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service names as a tropical storm or a hurricane.
(7)Named Storm Event Model
The term “Named Storm Event Model” means the official meteorological and oceanographic computerized model, developed by the Administrator under subsection (b)(1)(A), which utilizes covered data to replicate the magnitude, timing, and spatial variations of winds, rainfall, and storm surges associated with named storms for which post-storm assessments are conducted.
(8)Participant
The term “participant” means a Federal, State, or private entity that chooses to cooperate with the Administrator in carrying out the provisions of this section by collecting, contributing, and maintaining covered data.
(9)Post-storm assessment
The term “post-storm assessment” means a scientific assessment produced and certified by the Administrator to determine the magnitude, timing, and spatial variations of winds, rainfall, and storm surges associated with a specific named storm to be used in the COASTAL Formula.
(10)State
The term “State” means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other territory or possession of the United States.
(b)Named Storm Event Model and post-storm assessment
(1)Establishment of Named Storm Event Model
(A)In general
Not later than December 31, 2020, the Administrator shall develop the Named Storm Event Model.
(B)Accuracy
The Named Storm Event Model shall be designed to generate post-storm assessments, as provided in paragraph (2), that have a degree of accuracy of not less than 90 percent for an indeterminate loss for which a post-storm assessment is utilized.
(C)Public review
The Administrator shall seek input and suggestions from the public before the Named Storm Event Model, or any modification to the Named Storm Event Model, takes effect.
(2)Post-storm assessment
(A)Identification of named storms threatening coastal States
After the establishment of the COASTAL Formula, the Administrator shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, identify named storms that may reasonably constitute a threat to any portion of a coastal State.
(B)Data collection
(i)In general
Upon identification of a named storm under subparagraph (A), and pursuant to the protocol established under subsection (c), the Administrator may deploy sensors to enhance the collection of covered data in the areas in coastal States that the Administrator determines are at the highest risk of experiencing geophysical events that would cause indeterminate losses.
(ii)Rule of construction
If the Administrator takes action under clause (i), that action may not be construed as indicating that a post-storm assessment will be developed for any coastal State in which that action is taken.
(C)Identification of indeterminate losses in coastal States
Not later than 30 days after the first date on which sustained winds of not less than 39 miles per hour are measured in a coastal State during a named storm identified under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall notify the Administrator with respect to the existence of any indeterminate losses in that coastal State resulting from that named storm.
(D)Post-storm assessment required
Upon confirmation of indeterminate losses identified under subparagraph (C) with respect to a named storm, the Administrator shall develop a post-storm assessment for each coastal State that suffered such indeterminate losses as a result of the named storm using the Named Storm Event Model and covered data collected for such named storm pursuant to the protocol established under subsection (c)(1).
(E)Submittal of post-storm assessment
Not later than 90 days after any indeterminate losses are identified under subparagraph (C), the Administrator shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security the post-storm assessment developed under subparagraph (D) for any coastal State that suffered such indeterminate losses.
(F)Separate post-storm assessments for a single named storm
(i)In general
The Administrator may conduct a separate post-storm assessment for each coastal State in which indeterminate losses are identified under subparagraph (C).
(ii)Timeline
If the Administrator conducts a separate post-storm assessment under clause (i), the Administrator shall complete the assessment based on the dates of actions that the Administrator takes under subparagraph (D).
(3)Accuracy
The Administrator shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that each post-storm assessment developed under paragraph (2) has a degree of accuracy of not less than 90 percent.
(4)Certification
For each post-storm assessment carried out under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall—
(A)certify the degree of accuracy for such assessment, including specific reference to any segments or geographic areas for which the assessment is less than 90 percent accurate; and
(B)report such certification to the Secretary of Homeland Security for the purposes of use with indeterminate loss claims under section 4057 of title 42.
(5)Finality of determinations
A certification of the degree of accuracy of a post-storm assessment under this subsection by the Administrator shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review.
(6)Availability
The Administrator shall make available to the public the Named Storm Event Model and any post-storm assessment developed under this subsection.
(c)Establishment of a protocol for post-storm assessment
(1)In general
Not later than December 31, 2020, the Administrator shall establish a protocol, based on the plan submitted under subsection (d)(3), to collect and assemble all covered data required by the Administrator to produce post-storm assessments required by subsection (b), including assembling data collected by participants and stored in the database established under subsection (f) and from such other sources as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(2)Acquisition of sensors and structures
If the Administrator is unable to use a public or private asset to obtain covered data as part of the protocol established under paragraph (1), the Administrator may acquire such sensors and structures for the placement of sensors as may, in the discretion of the Administrator, be necessary to obtain such data.
(3)Use of Federal assets
If the protocol requires placement of a sensor to develop assessments pursuant to subsection (b), the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, use Federal assets for the placement of such sensors.
(4)Use of acquired structures
(A)In general
If the Administrator acquires a structure for the placement of a sensor for purposes of such protocol, the Administrator shall to the extent practical permit other public and private entities to place sensors on such structure to collect—
(i)meteorological data;
(ii)national security-related data;
(iii)navigation-related data;
(iv)hydrographic data; or
(v)such other data as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(B)Receipt of consideration
The Administrator may receive and expend consideration for the placement of a sensor on a structure under subparagraph (A).
(C)In-kind consideration
Consideration received under subparagraph (B) may be received in-kind.
(D)Use of consideration
To the extent practicable, consideration received under subparagraph (B) shall be used for the maintenance of sensors used to collect covered data.
(5)Coordinated deployments and data collection practices
The Administrator shall, in consultation with the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, coordinate the deployment of sensors as part of the protocol established under paragraph (1) and related data collection carried out by Federal, State, academic, and private entities who choose to cooperate with the Administrator in carrying out this subsection.
(6)Priority acquisition and deployment
The Administrator shall give priority in the acquisition for and deployment of sensors under the protocol required by paragraph (1) to areas of coastal States that have the highest risk of being harmed by named storms.
(d)Assessment of systems and efforts to collect covered data
(1)Identification of systems and efforts to collect covered data
Not later than 180 days after July 6, 2012, the Administrator shall, in consultation with the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology—
(A)carry out a survey to identify all Federal and State efforts and systems that are capable of collecting covered data; and
(B)consult with private and academic sector entities to identify domestic private and academic systems that are capable of collecting covered data.
(2)Identification of gaps
The Administrator shall, in consultation with the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology and individuals and entities consulted under subsection (e)(3), assess the systems identified under paragraph (1) and identify which systems meet the needs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the collection of covered data, including with respect to the accuracy requirement for post-storm assessment under subsection (b)(3).
(3)Plan
Not later than 270 days after July 6, 2012, the Administrator shall, in consultation with the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, submit to Congress a plan for the collection of covered data necessary to develop the Named Storm Event Model and post-storm assessment required by subsection (b) that addresses any gaps identified in paragraph (2).
(e)Coordination of covered data collection and maintenance by participants
(1)In general
The Administrator shall, in consultation with the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, coordinate the collection and maintenance of covered data by participants under this section— (A)
(B)to maintain transparency of such process and the database established under subsection (f).
(2)Sharing information
The Administrator shall establish a process for sharing among participants information relevant to collecting and using covered data for— (A)
(B)private sector use;
(C)public outreach; and
(D)such other purposes as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(3)Consultation
In carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), the Administrator shall consult with the following:
(A)The Commanding General of the Corps of Engineers.
(B)The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(C)The Commandant of the Coast Guard.
(D)The Director of the United States Geological Survey.
(E)The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology.
(F)The Director of the National Science Foundation.
(G)The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(H)Such public, private, and academic sector entities as the Administrator considers appropriate for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section.
(f)Establishment of Coastal Wind and Water Event Database
(1)In general
Not later than 1 year after July 6, 2012, the Administrator shall establish a database for the collection and compilation of covered data—
(A)to support the protocol established under subsection (c)(1); and
(B)for the purposes listed in subsection (e)(2).
(2)Designation
The database established under paragraph (1) shall be known as the “Coastal Wind and Water Event Database”.
(g)Comptroller General study
Not later than 1 year after July 6, 2012, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—
(1)complete an audit of Federal efforts to collect covered data for purposes of the Consumer Option for an Alternative System to Allocate Losses Act of 2012, which audit shall—
(A)examine duplicated Federal efforts to collect covered data; and
(B)determine the cost effectiveness of such efforts; and
(2)submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the audit completed under paragraph (1).
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Consumer Option for an Alternative System to Allocate Losses Act of 2012, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is subtitle B (§§ 100251–100253) of title II of div. F of Pub. L 112–141, which enacted this section, section 4057 of Title 42, the Public Health and Welfare, and provisions set out as a note under section 4001 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
of 2012 Amendment note set out under section 4001 of Title 42 and Tables.
Amendments
2020—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(1)(A), inserted “, except that the term shall not apply with respect to a State or territory that has an operational wind and flood loss allocation system” before period at end. Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(1)(B), inserted “sustained” before “winds”. Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(1)(C), substituted “for which post-storm assessments are conducted” for “that threaten any portion of a coastal State”. Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(A)(i), substituted “
December 31, 2020” for “540 days after
July 6, 2012” and struck out “by regulation” after “Administrator shall develop”. Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(A)(ii), substituted “an indeterminate loss” for “every indeterminate loss”. Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(A)(iii), added subpar. (C). Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(B)(ii), added subpars. (B) and (C). Former subpars. (B) and (C) redesignated (D) and (E), respectively. Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(B)(iii), substituted “confirmation of indeterminate losses identified under subparagraph (C) with respect to a named storm” for “identification of a named storm under subparagraph (A)” and “assessment for each coastal State that suffered such indeterminate losses as a result of the named storm” for “assessment for such named storm”. Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (B) as (D). Subsec. (b)(2)(E). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(B)(iv), substituted “any indeterminate losses are identified under subparagraph (C)” for “an identification of a named storm is made under subparagraph (A)” and “under subparagraph (D) for any coastal State that suffered such indeterminate losses” for “for such storm under subparagraph (B)”. Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(B)(i), redesignated subpar. (C) as (E). Subsec. (b)(2)(F). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(2)(B)(v), added subpar. (F). Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(3)(A), substituted “
December 31, 2020” for “540 days after
July 6, 2012”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(3)(B), inserted “, in the discretion of the Administrator,” after “of sensors as may”. Subsec. (c)(4)(B). Pub. L. 116–271, § 201(a)(3)(C), inserted “and expend” after “receive”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 3611
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110