National Weather Service cites UMaine for storm preparedness

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

October 25, 2011 News

StormReady presentation — National Weather Service meteorologists Richard Okulski (l) and Michael Hill with UMaine VP for Finance and Administration Janet Waldron

National Weather Service officials visited the University of Maine last Friday to officially convey “StormReady” recognition to the university. This designation, valid for three years, means that UMaine has met NWS standards for natural disaster preparedness.

In his letter announcing this recognition, Richard Okulski, meteorologist in charge of the NWS operation in Caribou, noted that the university is in compliance with “rigorous guidelines,” including:

– the development of severe weather safety plans

– the active promotion of severe weather safety initiatives through awareness activities and safety training.

Maine has four other StormReady communities and institutions: Bangor, Caribou, Fort Fairfield and the University of Maine at Presque Isle. It is the sixth New England college or university with this designation, joining UMPI, the University of Vermont, Harvard, Boston College and Boston University.

Oct. 25, 2011
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571