Clemson University has been recognized as StormReady by the National Weather Service (NWS). The StormReady program recognizes communities and organizations for their efforts in improving local hazardous weather operations and ensuring they are prepared to meet the needs of their population.
“We are honored to have Clemson University be recognized as a StormReady university,” said Interim Director of Emergency Management Zach Johnson. “This recognition highlights not just the efforts of our team in Public Safety but all of our campus partners and everyone across the University that help us foster a strong, prepared and resilient community.”
The goal of the StormReady program, according to NWS, is to help community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs and be better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness
To be officially StormReady, a community must:
- Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
- Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public
- Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally
- 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.
The Clemson University Office of Emergency Management (OEM) oversees many of these functions for the University, managing the Emergency Operations Center, monitoring hazardous weather that could impact University operations, providing weather information and alerts for large events, and disseminating preparedness information on key weather-related topics throughout the year.
To learn more about the StormReady program, visit weather.gov/stormready.
OEM earns WRN Ambassador designation
Additionally, the Clemson University Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was recently named a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador by the National Weather Service. The designation underscores the department’s mission of fostering a resilient Clemson University.
WRN Ambassadors are formally recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as organizations committed to collaborating with NOAA, sharing preparedness messaging in outreach to the public, and serving as examples themselves by implementing best practices for resilience.
NOAA describes WRN Ambassadors as change agents and leaders in their community, inspiring others to be better informed and prepared, thus helping to minimize, mitigate, or avoid the impacts of natural disasters. OEM works toward this goal throughout the year, providing the University community with essential preparedness and safety information on key topics through various platforms, avenues and outreach efforts.
OEM joins its partners from the Clemson University Fire & EMS Department (CUFD) as a WRN Ambassador. CUFD received the designation in 2023.
