National Weather Service Recognizes FSU Ringling Center for
Cultural Arts as a StormReady® University
WFO Tampa Bay Senior Forecaster Nick Petro presents a StormReady University sign to Dr. John Wetenhall, Ringling Executive Director; and, Sandy Rief, Ringling Board of Directors Chairman (Photo: WFO Tampa Bay)
(June 20, 2008) -- Officials from the National Weather Service have recognized the Florida State University Ringling Center for Cultural Arts in Sarasota, Fla. as StormReady®. Previously listed as a StormReady supporter, the center is now one of only 27 universities in the nation to achieve StormReady status.
The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle local severe weather and flooding threats. The program is voluntary and provides communities with clear-cut advice from the local National Weather Service forecast office and state and local emergency managers. The program began in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Okla. area. Today, there are more than 1,300 StormReady communities.
Tampa Bay forecast office Senior Forecaster Nick Petro presented center officials with a recognition letter and special StormReady signs during a ceremony at the Ringling Museum of Art, Education Building. The StormReady recognition will be in effect for three years before the center is required to undergo a renewal process.
To be recognized as StormReady, a community must establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public; create a system that monitors local weather conditions; promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and, develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
(L to R) - WFO Tampa Bay Senior Forecaster Nick Petro; Russell Pillifant, Ringling Chief of Facilities Operations; Mitch Ladewski, Ringling Safety & Security Coordinator; Dr. John Wetenhall, Ringling Executive Director; Tampa Bay Meteorologist-in-Charge Brian LaMarre; and, Sandy Rief, Ringling Board of Directors Chairman (Photo: WFO Tampa Bay)