UW-Stevens Point recognized as StormReady® by National Weather Service
10/1/2019

NOAA's National Weather Service has recognized the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for earning the distinction of being StormReady®.

UW-Stevens Point is the first university in the National Weather Service-Green Bay forecast area to earn this designation after meeting a set of rigorous warning criteria.

"Working through this process enhanced our campus severe weather planning and strengthened our working relationship with the National Weather Service in Green Bay," said Corinna Neeb, emergency management specialist at UW-Stevens Point. "It ensures students, faculty and staff that their safety is our top priority."

To be designated StormReady, a university must:

  • Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
  • Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public
  • Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally
  • Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars
  • Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

This voluntary program is a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and public awareness, said Phil Kurimski, senior meteorologist at NOAA's weather forecast office in Green Bay. "StormReady arms communities with improved communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property–before and during the event."

UW-Stevens Point has been a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador since October 2016. This NOAA partnership aims to strengthen campus resilience against extreme weather. UW-Stevens Point emergency management provides information to students, faculty and staff members on how to stay safe and prepare for upcoming weather. 

StormReady started in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Okla., area. More than 2,500 communities and supporters across the country now have the distinction.

A brief recognition ceremony will be held Monday, Oct. 7, at 12:30 p.m. in the Founders Room of Old Main, UW-Stevens Point. The public is welcome.


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