The University of Georgia has once again been recognized as a StormReady institution by the National Weather Service.
This designation highlights UGA’s ongoing commitment to safety and preparedness in protecting the university community during severe weather events. UGA has held this designation since 2014.
“This recognition reflects years of dedicated investment in safety and response measures at UGA,” said Adam Fouche, executive director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness. “While we can’t control the weather, we can prepare for it. Our goal is to ensure our students, staff, faculty and surrounding community have the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe.”
To achieve StormReady status, institutions must have a comprehensive emergency operations plan. This includes established communication channels to reach large populations, the ability to notify the public, collaborations with local agencies, reliable sources of weather information, and a proven track record in responding to severe weather events. The application process also involves a thorough verification visit.
The StormReady program, managed by the National Weather Service, recognizes a variety of entities, including universities, counties, military bases, government offices and commercial organizations. UGA is one of 290 higher education institutions in the U.S. to earn this designation and one of only 16 in the state of Georgia.
“This designation is also a testament to the collective efforts of our entire university community,” Fouche said. “At UGA, we believe that emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. I am deeply grateful for the proactive efforts of our students, faculty, staff and community members in working together to prepare for and respond to weather-related emergencies.”
