title: Criteria for evaluating the condition of a tropical cyclone warning system.
abstract: This paper evaluates the condition (i.e. health) of a tropical cyclone warning system (TCWS) during a 'quiet period' between infrequent intense cyclones. Capacity to make pre-disaster evaluations is important--disaster warning systems need to be in sound condition before, not after, disaster. The research--part of the UK's International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction Flagship Programme--focuses upon an evaluatory method first used on flood warning systems. The Criteria-development Matrix comprises social, organisational and institutional criteria by which a TCWS may be assessed using a five-stage development scale. This method is used to evaluate Mauritius's TCWS using in-depth interview data. Ways to enhance the method and apply it to other disaster warning systems are discussed. The TCWS in Mauritius is a relatively sound one from which others can learn. Weaknesses requiring attention for Mauritius's TCWS to progress to an advanced level of development are identified.
authors.affiliation: Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University. D.Parker@mdx.ac.uk
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008436:Mauritius; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors