MGA Designated "StormReady" University by National Weather Service

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, November 22, 2021 12:00 AM
Category: Pressroom

Macon, GA

MGA, NWS, and Macon-Bibb EMA officials
Officials from Middle Georgia State University (MGA), Macon-Bibb County EMA, and the National Weather Service in the University’s Emergency Operations Center following the ceremony. L-R: David Nadler, NWS; Tripp Mitchell, MGA; Ron Ardelean, MGA; Spencer Hawkins, Macon-Bibb EMA; Robert McCord, Macon-Bibb EMA

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) is officially StormReady.

The University announced the StormReady designation at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at the Emergency Operations Center located in the Campus Support Services building on MGA’s Macon Campus. Special guests were David Nadler, National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist from NOAA/NWS; Spencer Hawkins, director of Macon-Bibb Emergency Management Agency; and Robert McCord, deputy director of Macon-Bibb EMA.

Nadler presented documentation of MGA’s StormReady certification to MGA Police Chief Tripp Mitchell, and Ron Ardelean, director of Risk Management, who worked with Nadler and the NWS to secure the designation.

“The one thing that stands out to me is the relationships… people coming together to prepare for severe weather.  The safety of people on these campuses is clearly a high priority for this University,” said Nadler.

StormReady, a National Weather Service program started in 1999 in Tulsa, OK, helps equip America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs. StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives.

In order to be StormReady, MGA is required to:

  • 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