Chief, Operations Division, NOAA/NWS Office of Water Prediction
NOAA/NWS/Office of Water Prediction
Norton, MA
With more than 39 years of distinguished service with the National Weather Service, Mr. Vallee has served as an Intern Meteorologist in Boston and Providence (1987–1993), Senior Service Hydrologist in Taunton (1993–2000), and Science and Operations Officer (2001–2006). From 2007 to 2022, he served as Hydrologist-in-Charge of the Northeast River Forecast Center, providing water resource assessments and flood forecasting across the Northeast and New York. From 2022 to 2026, he directed the National Water Center’s Service Innovation and Partnership Division, leading service innovation, training, partner engagement, and implementation of Forecast Flood Inundation Mapping services.
Mr. Vallee has extensive experience in hydrometeorological operations, research, and training. His achievements include studying Northeastern landfalling tropical cyclones, developing a short-range ensemble river forecast system, deploying the Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast Service, and analyzing New England climate trends and their impacts on flood behavior. He also led national efforts to improve flood decision support services and develop the Concept of Operations, training, and outreach resources for national Flood Inundation Mapping Forecast Services.
A frequent conference speaker, Mr. Vallee has represented the agency on The Weather Channel, The History Channel, and The Discovery Channel. An alumnus of Lyndon State College, he has received the National Isaac Cline Award for Leadership and the NOAA Administrator Award for advanced flood mapping implementation. He resides in Cumberland, Rhode Island, with his wife and performs as a clarinetist with the Wakefield Concert Band and Ocean State Pops Orchestra. He also leads the Wakefield Dixieland Ramblers.
This Lunch & Learn session will provide an overview of the National Water Model (NWM) and its implementation across the nation. The presentation will explore how the NWM supports water prediction by providing hydrologic guidance for rivers and streams throughout the United States. Participants will learn about the model’s capabilities, its role in operational forecasting, and how National Water Model products can support flood preparedness, situational awareness, and emergency management decision-making.
Summit speakers will participate in a roundtable discussion addressing flooding disasters across the country from an emergency management perspective. Panelists will share experiences, lessons learned, challenges, and best practices related to flood preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. The discussion will provide participants with practical insights into how communities and emergency management agencies can better prepare for and respond to significant flooding events.
