Ken Graham: National Hurricane Center director offers new warning

Twenty-eight years ago Kenneth Graham joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as an intern forecaster at the National Weather Service in New Orleans after experience as broadcast meteorologist for a CBS affiliate and as an agricultural meteorologist for the Mississippi Network Radio. His new career took him to work in Texas; Alabama; Washington, DC, and finally Miami. 

For four years he has been director of NOAA National Hurricane Center in Miami, overseeing the operations, training and communications efforts. The center is responsible for issuing watches, warnings, forecasts and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and forecasting the weather for 28 countries. 

Mr. Graham has been able to innovate. He implemented Impact-Based Decision Support Services, where scientists gather the forecast and convert it into something actionable in weekly briefings with emergency managers, and he continues to do so in Miami. 

He has received recognitions such as a Bronze Medal for leading a team to make critical repairs in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, the Department of Commerce Bronze medal for innovative services during Hurricane Gustav and Ike, and the National Weather Association’s Operational Meteorology Award. He was included in the Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for Decision Support Service given to NOAA for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the National Weather Museum’s Weather Hero Award for 2010. Mr. Graham was also a finalist for the 2021 Service to America Award and was recognized by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes as Weather Person of the Year.

Mr. Graham spoke with Miami Today reporter Gabriela Henriquez Stoikow. 

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