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NOAA’S National Weather Service Declares Auburn, Wash., StormReady

AUBURN, Wash. - March 15, 2010 - Auburn (Wash.) today will receive the NOAA National Weather Service’s StormReady® recognition. The designation recognizes that Auburn, its citizens and visitors are better prepared for rapidly changing weather patterns and severe weather.

To achieve this distinction, Auburn met rigorous guidelines, which include developing severe weather safety plans and communications infrastructure, promoting severe weather safety through awareness activities and conducting safety training.

The StormReady preparedness program helps communities develop severe weather and flooding response plans with NOAA's National Weather Service and local emergency managers. Since the program began in 1999, nearly 1,600 U.S. communities have become StormReady.

At a public ceremony today during the Auburn City Council, Brad Colman, meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service forecast office in Seattle, Wash., will present a recognition letter and special StormReady signs to city officials.

"The City of Auburn takes great pride in being recognized as StormReady," said Mayor Pete Lewis. "The safety of our residents is a top priority, and with this designation we are now able to respond more effectively to any hazardous weather event we potentially could experience."

To earn StormReady designation, a community must:

  • Establish a 24-hour center to receive National Weather Service warnings and an emergency operations center;
  • Have redundant ways to receive 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 to train severe weather spotters and carry out emergency exercises.

The StormReady program is part of the NOAA National Weather Service's working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

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On the Web:

NOAA’s National Weather Service in Seattle: www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/

NOAA’s StormReady program: www.stormready.noaa.gov

StormReady® is a registered trademark of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.