Texas Tech is StormReady

With the spring severe weather season approaching, Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center today (Jan. 16) became the largest universities in Texas to receive the StormReady certification from the National Weather Service (NWS).

The designation signifies that the universities are prepared to safeguard their students, faculty, staff and property from severe weather. Two other universities in Texas and 19 more across the country have earned this certification.

“The personal safety of our student body, faculty and staff is of the utmost importance to the Texas Tech University System,” said Chancellor Kent Hance. “This proactive program, among many others, will help us prepare for an emergency situation.”

The National Weather Service began the StormReady program in 1999 to help communities, universities and others organizations guard against severe weather. The NWS statistics show that there are about 10,000 thunderstorms and 1,000 tornadoes in the United States each year.

“We are pleased to see Texas Tech’s commitment to weather safety,” said Jody James, the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Lubbock. “StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through better planning, education and awareness.”

The Texas Tech Police Department took the lead in acquiring the certification for the university. The process included a written application, a verification visit by NWS personnel and approval by a local StormReady Board of Directors.

Texas Tech met all qualifications before applying for the designation. Criteria included having multiple ways to receive and distribute severe weather information, having an emergency operation center and having established severe weather preparedness plans.

For more information on the StormReady program go to www.stormready.noaa.gov.

 

Story produced by the Office of Communications and Marketing, (806) 742-2136. Photo by Artie Limmer.