Axe ’Em, Jacks!
The National Weather Service renewed Stephen F. Austin State University’s designation as a StormReady University on Aug. 16, 2022. The three-year renewal recognizes SFA’s ongoing preparations for severe weather conditions and weather emergencies. SFA first earned the StormReady University designation in fall 2019.
To be officially StormReady, an institution must:
- 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
- and develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
SFA's Office of Emergency Management and University Police Department are dedicated and committed to ensuring the campus community and community partners are prepared for and ready to respond to any threats, hazards and risks that might be faced any time of the year. The renewal of SFA's StormReady designation is a testament to a campus culture of preparedness.
UPD serves as the 24-hour warning point for severe weather information, and the campus emergency operations center serves as a command center in case of weather emergencies. UPD and OEM monitor conditions locally and receive real-time warning information through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather channels via multiple means.
Severe weather information is then relayed to the campus community through the JackAlert text system, Rave Guardian app, Federal Signal outdoor speakers, the campus telephone system, computer displays and campus social media accounts, to name a few.
The StormReady program is voluntary and provides institutions with recommendations and best practices from the local National Weather Service forecast office and state and local emergency managers.
StormReady is a registered trademark used by NOAA. The program is part of the NWS's working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association.