Service backup is critical for all WFOs, and the hydrology program is no exception. Do some preparation for service backup in advance. Keep in mind; some transfer to service backup occurs "on-the-fly".

Every WFO has a primary and secondary backup office. National headquarters also assigns a tertiary backup for office in hurricane-prone areas.

Note: WHFS applications do not support tertiary backup. Download and read this document on tertiary backup from the WHFS Field Support Group.

Complete steps 1 and 2 to ensure the data for those offices routinely stores and purges in your system:

1. Ensure all river and precipitation points are defined

2. Define product IDs (HADS products, forecasts, statements, RFC products) in your data feed

3. Obtain the latest RiverPro templates from backup offices

4. Define rating curves, 1-hr unitgraphs, and basin definition files to add sites to Site Specific

Note: Steps 1 and 2 back up AHPS for another office (see  AHPS/HydroGen Basics on the VLab AWIPS Hydro Support Community page).

You need to contact WFO Support in all service backup situations (providing backup or being backed up) to ensure continued warning service to the public.

Reminder: Document relationships with state, county, or local partners and share it with your backup offices to reduce the risk of a decrease in service during service backup.

Reference: NWS Directive 10-22 Readiness