This spring, over 400 tornadoes occurred across the U.S. with a record number of 27 in Kentucky causing loss of lives, numerous injuries, and property damage. In the past year, two institutions of higher learning have received direct hits from tornadoes: Del Mar College in Texas and the University of Maryland. We all know it can happen here. No city or county is storm proof. But are we ready? Are we as prepared as we need to be on campus? Where are the severe weather safe places in our buildings? These questions needed to be addressed for the UK campus and, further, improve campus preparedness and response of students and employees to minimize loss of life during severe weather periods.
The National Weather Service and Kentucky Emergency Management, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Administration, have established the StormReady program to help cities and counties across the country become better prepared to respond to severe storms through better planning, education, and awareness. Colleges and universities can also become StormReady. A small group of professionals on campus along with the Lexington/Fayette Urban County Government Disaster and Emergency Management have put together a UK StormReady Team. This team is working with the National Weather Service to make this campus better prepared to respond to tornadoes and to achieve StormReady certification for the University of Kentucky. Tom Priddy is the campus StormReady coordinator.
The main components of becoming StormReady are:
Since October 2002, the UK StormReady team has been working with the National Weather Service to complete the StormReady certification program. The following has been accomplished:
StormReady is a new catchphrase here on campus and getting prepared is a critical part of it. With your help, the University of Kentucky campus will provide the safest environment possible for all students and employees during severe storms.
Now for phase II. Getting re-certified in 2006!