NWS Wilmington, OH Recognizes ODOT As A Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador

On February 9, 2018, NWS Wilmington, OH recognized the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) as a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador. ODOT is a valued proactive partner that works closely with the NWS office in Wilmington, OH in addition to other NWS offices to mitigate weather impacts. ODOT provides motorists with hazardous weather information on road signs, utilizes social media in addition to other avenues to communicate weather information that could impact travel, and diligently works to keep motorists safe no matter what the weather conditions. ODOT has especially been helpful in getting the word out about dangerous snow squalls, in which the combination of quick reductions in visibilities and sudden slick conditions on roadways can often lead to high speed wrecks, pileups, and subsequently injuries and fatalities.

NWS Wilmington, OH Presents OCSWA With WRN Ambassador of Excellence Award

On January 16, 2018, NWS Wilmington, OH honored the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) for being a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador of Excellence. OCSWA has demonstrated a pattern of continually striving to educate residents of weather hazards across the State of Ohio and encouraging families to plan ahead and know what to do during various weather emergencies. We thank OCSWA for their commitment to helping the NWS mission to protect lives and property!

NWS Wilmington, OH Hosts Winter Weather Workshop

On November 14, 2017, NWS Wilmington OH had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from Emergency Management into our science-based winter season workshop held at our office in Wilmington, Ohio. In attendance was Jamie Sparks (Northern Kentucky Area Manager for State of Kentucky Emergency Management), Steve Hensley and Ashley Hawks (Kenton County, Kentucky Emergency Management), as well as staff from NWS Wilmington. Our office has made it common practice in recent years of inviting close partners in Emergency Management to the traditionally science-based workshops before both winter and summer seasons. This allows us to interact and engage with these partners in an attempt to learn how to better communicate, serve, and work more closely together with those who routinely request support for a myriad of disasters and events across the local area.

Fairfield County, Ohio becomes StormReady Recognized!

On November 8, 2017, NWS Wilmington OH officially recognized Fairfield County, Ohio as StormReady! Fairfield County demonstrated their commitment to enhancing weather warning communications and emergency planning through incorporation of their community's severe weather threats into the hazard mitigation and emergency response plans. Additionally, the county established multiple ways to receive weather weather warnings and created a system that monitors weather conditions locally. Fairfield County has devoted resources to promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars and conducting emergency exercises to ensure their community is storm-ready!

NWS and Local Partners Host Tri-State Integrated Warning Team Meeting

On April 26, 2017, NWS Wilmington, in conjunction with Hamilton County, OH Emergency Management, hosted a Tri-State IWT in Cincinnati, OH. The Tri-State IWT consisted of partners from both local and state Emergency Management, Departments of Transportation and the media serving Southwest Ohio, Southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky. This IWT featured an interactive format, where NWS meteorologists facilitated table-top discussions and moderated dialogue on a wide array of topics. Communications and messaging became a central theme during discussions, and the NWS gained useful insight into how different partners prepare for and respond to hazardous weather. Partners stressed the usefulness of “heads up” email blasts to alert to potential hazardous weather days in advance, and dynamic web briefings for higher end severe, flooding and winter events.

Ohio State University becomes StormReady Recognized!

On March 8, 2016, NWS Wilmington OH officially recognized The Ohio State University as StormReady! In tandem with the OSU Severe Weather Symposium, the NWS held a recognition ceremony for The Ohio State University for the demonstration of their commitment to take proactive steps to keep their community safe in the face of hazardous weather.

Kings Island becomes StormReady Recognized!

On March 7, 2016, NWS Wilmington OH officially recognized King's Island as StormReady! King's Island, through a rigorous application process, demonstrated to the NWS that they are prepared and ready for hazardous weather and have taken the necessary steps and precautions to ensure the utmost safety of their guests. While no community is completely storm-proof, King's Island's preparedness sets them apart and may eventually help save lives!

When seconds count, 
StormReady® Communities are prepared.

About StormReady_®

Ninety percent of all presidential declared disasters are weather related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in damage. To help Americans guard against the ravages of severe weather, the National Weather Service has designed StormReady, a program aimed at arming America's communities with the communication and safety skills necessary to save lives and property.

StormReady prepares communities with an action plan that responds to the risk of all types of severe weather - from tornadoes to blizzards. The entire community from the mayor, emergency managers, to business leaders and civic groups can take the lead on becoming StormReady. Local National Weather Service forecast offices work with communities to complete an application and review 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;
• Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

Organizations not meeting the guidelines for full StormReady recognition may qualify as a StormReady Supporter.  StormReady Supporters promote the principles and guidelines of the StormReady program.  Examples of potential StormReady Supporters include businesses, hospitals, shopping centers and malls, schools, state parks, etc.

• NWS StormReady Website
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• History of StormReady
• StormReady Flyer  (printable pdf)
• What It Means To Be A StormReady Supporter  
• NWS Weather-Ready Nation  
• Weather Safety Resources  

How to Be Recognized as StormReady®

There are three easy steps to becoming StormReady in the NWS Wilmington Ohio area of responsibility. If you have jurisdiction over a community as well as unincorporated areas of the surrounding county, you only need to submit one application with the combined populations. However, please note that there are population minimums (within a given county or jurisdiction) that are required for StormReady entities.

1. For locations within the NWS Wilmington Ohio area of responsibility, contact brandon.peloquin@noaa.gov (Note: If you are from outside the NWS Wilmington Ohio area of responsibility, contact the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at your local NWS office.)

2. Review the StormReady guidelines for your type of community/organization:

• NWS StormReady Directive
• StormReady Application for Supporters

3. Fill out the appropriate form and send it to brandon.peloquin@noaa.gov. Please include a copy of the severe weather portion of your preparedness and response plan(s).

• Communities, counties, colleges, etc: fillable, savable PDF
• All others (schools, hospitals, businesses, organizations, etc.):  fillable, savable PDF

What happens next?

• Your application will be reviewed by either NWS Wilmington Ohio or, if in Ohio, the Ohio StormReady Board.
• They may ask for clarifications or note areas of concern throughout the process.
• When it appears that the guidelines have been met, the Board will contact you to arrange a verification visit.
• Following the verification visit, the Board will vote to approve the application.
• If additional improvements are needed, the Board will notify you and provide additional guidance as appropriate.
• Once the application has been approved, you can arrange an optional recognition ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weather-Ready Nation®

Who Is Eligible To Become A Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador?

• Any organization across all levels of government, businesses large and small, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, and academia can become WRN Ambassadors.

How Does This Benefit My Community?

• NOAA wants to find ways to collaborate with external organizations in innovative ways to maximize all our efforts toward national resilience. Increased dialog and information sharing will result in reduced redundancy, more consistent weather safety messaging, and improved communication with stakeholders and the general public.

Why Should My Organization Become A Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador?

• Strengthening partnerships begins with greater, more meaningful dialog. The WRN Ambassadors initiative improves the two-way communication between NOAA and its partners. NOAA will send Ambassadors information relevant to the Weather-Ready Nation strategic priority, such as toolkits for preparedness weeks and planning information for WRN-sponsored events. Greater dialog will lead to new innovative opportunities for collaboration, all leading toward greater preparedness, responsiveness, and resilience to extreme events.

How Is This Weather-Ready Nation Initiative Different Than StormReady®?

• WRN Ambassador initiative focuses on organizations wanting to partner with NOAA toward building a Weather-Ready Nation. National Weather Service (NWS) StormReady and NWS TsunamiReady are well-established programs with a higher level of requirements that need to be met to become recognized. To become a WRN Ambassador, an organization must provide an up-to-date point of contact and contact information, and a commitment to engaging in dialog with NOAA. Other campaigns, such as FEMA’s Ready campaign, are complementary efforts focused on all hazards preparedness. WRN Ambassadors is primarily focused on building unique/customized partnerships to improve not just preparedness but longer-term resilience.

Why Is This An Initiative Rather Than A Program?

• WRN Ambassadors is an initiative, and not considered a program, because it is not a budget line within NOAA. This initiative is a commitment by NOAA to expand and enhance partnerships, including engaging in dialog, exploring innovative opportunities for collaboration, and providing periodic communications “toolkits” of relevant information, events, and preparedness messages.

There are several easy steps to becoming a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador in the NWS Wilmington Ohio area of responsibility.

For locations within the NWS Wilmington Ohio area of responsibility, please fill out this Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador Application. Please submit the application to either John Franks or Brandon Peloquin (Note: If you are from outside the NWS Wilmington Ohio area of responsibility, contact the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at your local NWS office.)

Please check out our printable/savable local Weather-Ready Nation Brochure.

What happens next?

• Upon review of your application, you will be notified if there are any lingering discrepancies or questions regarding the content presented on your application.
• Upon approval, you will receive official confirmation that you are a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador and will receive a printed raindrop with your organization's name that will be hung on the WRN Display at the entry of our office in Wilmington, Ohio (pictured below).

We Proudly Recognize The Following Local Organizations For Their Commitment and Contributions To Making A Weather-Ready Nation!
 

Organizations/Communities

• Arbor Doctor, LLC 
• Archangel Transportation, Ltd. 
• Batesville Fire & EMS (IN) 
• Boone County, KY Emergency Management 
• Boy Scout Troop 437 
• Buckeye Storm Chasers 
• Butler County Educational Service Center (OH) 
• Campbell County, KY Office of Emergency Management 
• Central Ohio Severe Weather Network (COSWN) 
• Central Ohio Trauma System 
• Central Ohio Weather Alerts 
• Cincinnati Premium Outlets (OH) 
• Cincinnati Reds 
• Cincy Storm Chasers 
• Clinton County Amateur Radio Association (OH) 
• Columbus Regional Airport Authority 
• Community Bible Church (OH) 
• Core Punch 
• Craig Vernon 
• Dayton Amateur Radio Association (OH) 
• Dayton SkyWarn 
• DeForest Amateur Radio Club (OH) 
• East-Central Indiana SkyWarn 
• East Central-Southeastern Indiana SkyWarn 
• Fairbanks Local Schools 
• Fayette County EMA (OH) 
• First Baptist Church of Glen Este 
• Greater Cincinnati Police and Fire Chaplain Services 
• Hamilton County, OH Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency 
• Hamvention 
• Kenton County Airport Board dba Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Internatioanl Airport 
• Kenton County HSEM (KY) 
• Kip Metcalf - Storm Chaser 
• King's Island 
• KY7ARET 
• Lawrenceburg (IN) Community School Corporation 
• Lewis County Herald (KY) 
• Lewis County, KY Emergency Management 
• Liberty Center (OH) 
• Margaret Mary Health 
• Marysville Exempted Village School District 
• Miami (OH) University  

• Miami Valley News and Weather 
• Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission 
• Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)  
• Montgomery County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Inc. (OH) 
• Mosaic Learn & Play 
• MX Towing & Recovery 
• National Severe Weather Network Cincinnati Storm Intercept Team 
• Nationwide Insurance 
• NetJets Aviation 
• North Union Local Schools(OH) 
• Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness 
• Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) 
• Ohio Emergency Management - Southwest Regional Field Office
• Ohio Interagency Coordination Center 
• Ohio News and Weather 
• The Ohio State University - Main Campus 
• The Ohio State University - Newark 
• Ohio Storm Center 
• Ohio Valley Storm Center 
• Ohio Weather Network 
• Owen County, KY EMA 
• Pomeroy 
• Preble County SkyWarn (OH) 
• Ripley County, IN EMA 
• Scioto County, OH Emergency Management Agency 
• Scioto County, OH Storm Chaser Center 
• Sinclair Community College 
• Southern State College (OH) 
• Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency 
• Springfield, OH Air National Guard Base - 178th Wing 
• Storm Front Freaks Podcast
• Storm Intercept Association 
• Storm Watch Now 
• The Beach Waterpark (OH) 
• Trinity Lutheran Church 
• UC Health - West Chester Hospital 
• US Army SEPLO 
• USDA Ohio Farm Service Agency 
• Warren County, OH Telecommunications 
• Wayne County (IN) Emergency Management 
• WeatherUSA, LLC 
• Weather X Ohio 
• West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance (OH) 
• Woodlawn (OH) Fire Department