National Weather Service Again Recognizes UMass Amherst as a ‘StormReady’ University

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Emergency preparedness programs on campus have again received the “StormReady” designation from the National Weather Service. The designation is valid through 2022, with the original recognition dating back to 2016. 

To be recognized as StormReady, a university must establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have multiple ways 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 seminars; and develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

“The continued commitment of campus partners on maintaining the StormReady university designation demonstrates a collaborative and comprehensive all-hazards emergency management approach,” says Jeff Hescock, executive director of environmental health and safety and emergency management. “All of us have the potential to be impacted by a weather-related emergency on campus, and it is critical that we have plans in place to respond to any type of weather-related emergency.”

UMass Amherst is one of five universities in the state to be StormReady, which includes Harvard University, Boston College, Boston University and Tufts University. The designation has also been given to 17 communities, one military site and two commercial enterprises in Massachusetts.