Hydrologist
FEMA
Northport, Alabama, United States
Whitney Flynn is a Hydrologist and FEMA Liaison Officer (LNO) to the National Weather Service (NWS) National Water Center (NWC) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In her role, Whitney strengthens collaboration among FEMA, the NWC, and the broader interagency water enterprise to enhance national preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience to water-related hazards. She translates complex hydrologic science and emerging forecast products into actionable information for FEMA leadership and emergency management partners, while also delivering critical training on new and evolving National Water Center tools and services. Prior to joining FEMA in 2021, Whitney was among the first employees of the National Water Center’s Operations Division, beginning in 2018. In that capacity, she played a key role in advancing the Department of Commerce Agency Priority Goal to mitigate flood impacts through improved impact-based decision support services for the emergency management community. An Alabama native, Whitney graduated summa cum laude from Jacksonville State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Geography and earned a Master of Science in Emergency Management in 2017. In 2019, she became the first woman in the National Weather Service to earn the CEM credential. She also holds the Advanced Level Emergency Manager (ALEM) designation from the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers.
Strengthening Collaboration for Effective Flooding Support through the Lens of a FEMA Liaison
Sunday, November 8, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM PST