Whether a hurricane strikes or a flood rises, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has a plan.
The National Weather Service has recognized UAB as StormReady, a nationwide program that helps communities plan for severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. This is the first time UAB has received this designation.
“As with all our goals in our strategic planning, we set clear objectives and strive for excellence,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “It is no different for storm readiness. The StormReady program provides an ideal framework, and this designation is evidence of the tremendous progress we continue to make.”
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 NWS 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.
“StormReady recognition is part of the process of helping all Americans to protect themselves and to become a weather-ready nation, which is our goal, ” NWS Meteorologist Jim Stefkovich said.
The NWS began the StormReady program in 1999 to help communities, universities and other organizations guard against severe weather. The NWS statistics show there are about 10,000 thunderstorms and 1,000 tornadoes in the United States each year.
“Two years ago, we set a goal of taking emergency management at UAB to a new level of excellence,” UAB Executive Director of Emergency Management and Safety Randy Pewitt said. “In particular, we wanted to be better prepared to respond to the many challenges of severe weather. I’m happy to say that after a lot of hard work we have reached our goal.”
UAB’s StormReady recognition will last three years before being up for review again. After six years, the application process and investigation must start over.
For more information about severe weather procedures, and all emergency preparedness, visit the official UAB Emergency Management website.