National Weather Service cites UMaine for storm preparedness
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