NOAA’S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRESENTS
“TSUNAMIREADY” AND “STORMREADY” CERTIFICATION TO KODIAK, ALASKA

The National Weather Service, an agency of the Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), today honored Kodiak, Alaska, with a dual certification of TsunamiReady and StormReady during a ceremony held in Kodiak.

“Today we are making history by honoring Kodiak for establishing a way to better protect citizens from tsunamis and severe weather threats,” said National Weather Service (NWS) Alaska Region Acting Director Laura Furgione. “These communities have demonstrated a strong commitment to establishing the infrastructure and dissemination systems that will save lives and protect property in the event of damaging and hazardous events.”

The TsunamiReady and StormReady programs are voluntary preparedness programs that establish guidelines for communities to follow for tsunami and severe weather readiness. TsunamiReady and StormReady communities have adopted the requirements set by NWS in the areas of communications, warning reception and dissemination, public outreach and awareness programs and administrative planning.

To receive the TsunamiReady and StormReady designations, Kodiak successfully met the readiness criteria and was approved by an advisory board made up of local emergency managers, representatives from the Alaska Division of Emergency Services and the NWS. Official TsunamiReady and StormReady signs will be posted on roadsides entering the community.

“Preparation and advance warning are vital factors in tsunami readiness. Since tsunamis are often caused by earthquakes, citizens in an island community, such as Kodiak, which is in an area prone to tsunamis, must understand the importance of moving to high ground or inland immediately in case a strong earthquake occurs,” said Paul Whitmore of the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. “When disasters occur, a StormReady or TsunamiReady community will be better prepared for its citizens.”

For more information on the TsunamiReady program, please visit: http://wcatwc.gov/tsunamiready/tready.htm. For more information about the StormReady program please visit: http://www.stormready.noaa.gov. Each NWS forecast office posts daily forecasts and severe weather warnings on their Web pages. Links to NWS offices across the country are available through: http://weather.gov.

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NWS operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. To learn more about NWS, please visit: http://www.nws.noaa.gov.

Editor’s Note: Logos for the StormReady and TsunamiReady programs are available at http://www.stormready.noaa.gov/signs.htm