PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University will be designated this week as a “StormReady® university by officials of the National Weather Service.
StormReady recognizes communities that have committed to implement infrastructure and systems to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes.
John Livingston and Andy Brown of the National Weather Service forecast office in Spokane will present WSU officials with a StormReady® certificate and sign during a ceremony at the WSU home baseball game in Pullman on May 23.
Founded in 1999, the StormReady nationwide community preparedness program is a grassroots approach to preparing for natural hazards. More than 1,900 U.S. communities are better prepared for severe weather through the program.
To be recognized as StormReady, a university must maintain a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive National Weather Service warnings and to alert the public; be able to monitor local weather and flood conditions; conduct community preparedness programs; and ensure hazardous weather and flooding are addressed in formal emergency management plans, which include training SKYWARN® weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
The StormReady program is part of the National Weather Service’s working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association. Recognition is valid for three years and can be renewed.
Contact:
Robert Strenge, WSU News, 509-335-3583, rstrenge@wsu.edu