The National Weather Service is pleased to announce that Southern Arkansas University (SAU) has met all of the criteria and qualifications required to be recognized as a StormReady University. This recognition means that Southern Arkansas University is StormReady through 2014 and is the first University in Arkansas to be declared StormReady.
The National Weather Service in Shreveport, Southern Arkansas University Police and Administration and the Columbia County Office of Emergency Management will conduct a formal ceremony on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 at 10:15am in the lobby of the new Science Center on campus, recognizing Southern Arkansas University as StormReady.
Being a StormReady University means SAU has taken the initiative to ensure its faculty, students, and campus infrastructure are prepared to deal with deadly and destructive severe weather events. It has done this by meeting established National Weather Service Criteria for the reception and dissemination of emergency weather information and preparedness activities. Armando L. Garza, Meteorologist in Charge of the Weather Forecast Office in Shreveport stated that: “Southern Arkansas University is showing its leadership role by completely fulfilling the requirements established specifically for universities, and is making history by being recognized as the first higher learning StormReady institution in Arkansas.”
Keith Stellman, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Shreveport Weather Forecast Office added that: “This certification represents a partnership between Southern Arkansas University and the National Weather Service to provide the best service possible to the SAU community. I extend my congratulations to the SAU leadership for making this StormReady designation a reality!”
The National Weather Service would also like to recognize the work by Eric Plummer (Chief of Police at SAU), Brad Stout with Campus Police, Sergeant Donald Wray with Campus Police, and Larry Taylor with Columbia County Emergency Management. These individuals were extremely helpful throughout the preparations which resulted in the certification and recognition of Southern Arkansas University as a StormReady institution.
For additional information contact Keith Stellman (318-636-3669 or Keith.Stellman@noaa.gov) or Armando Garza (318-636-3669 or Armando.Garza@noaa.gov)
