WSSU designated an official StormReady university
Winston-Salem State University officially became a StormReady campus during a Recognition Ceremony on Sept. 17.
Nick Petro, warning coordination meteorologist of the National Weather Service (NWS), Raleigh office, read the official letter and designation during the program and presented it to Jason Stogner, director of the WSSU Office of Emergency Management.
“Congratulations, this letter is to inform you that NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) National Weather Service now formally recognizes Winston-Salem State University as a storm ready university,” he said. “It clearly demonstrates you and your colleagues’ vision, leadership, hard work and commitment to those who attend and work at your university.”
Petro also announced that WSSU was a weather ready nation ambassador. Ambassadors assist the NWS in its mission and is a force multiplier in distributing weather safety information.
In addition to an application process and site visit, StormReady criteria includes the establishment of a 24-hour warning and emergency operations center; multiple ways to receive weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the community; a system that monitors local weather conditions; attending seminars; and the development of a formal hazardous weather plan.
Petro touted WSSU’s Ram Alert system as a pivotal component in alerting the campus community.
“It’s important that communities become more resilient through preparations that reduce their vulnerability from extreme weather and water events, said WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown. “That’s why this special designation is so important for our campus community. Being StormReady is our best defense against Mother Nature.”
The StormReady designation is a voluntary program, and Brown commended the OEM staff for being proactive in ensuring the WSSU campus has all the resources in place to qualify.
Stogner especially thanked Sarah Isom, the assistant director of the WSSU OEM, for taking the lead on the project.
Petro said the university’s storm annex plan was really “top rate - one of the best I’ve seen in preparedness and building out plans.”
“Bad weather is going to happen,” Petro said. “So, we need to be ready – and ready is what this university is, and I’m really proud of the job you all have done to make this happen.”
Cupcakes featuring weather-related toppers were served at the StormReady ceremony. Click here for more photos from the program.
