Corpus Christi WCM John Metz (far left), MIC Scott Cordero (4th from left), SRH Dep. Dir. Mike Coyne (5th from left), NAS Emergency Mgr. Matt Poire (holding sign), NAS Commander Captain David M. Edgecomb (5th from right), NAS Asst. Emergency Mgr. Carl Rosengreen (4th from right) and other members of the Emergency Management Team.
(Jan. 17, 2013) -- The National Weather Service has recognized Naval Air Station Corpus Christi as the nation's 2,000th StormReady® community. Home to more than 10,000 U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and civil service employees, NAS Corpus Christi is the fourth military facility in Texas to earn StormReady recognition.
The StormReady program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady communities have made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes.
"This is certainly an important milestone in the evolution of the StormReady program which began 14 years ago when our Southern Region Tulsa office launched it with a handful of recognitions in Oklahoma," said Bill Proenza, regional director, National Weather Service Southern Region.
"Since then, StormReady has proven to be a tremendous success in enhancing community awareness and preparedness across the nation when severe weather occurs. We will continue to advance the program community-by-community as we strive to build a Weather Ready Nation."
Mike Coyne, deputy director, NWS Southern Region, and Scott Cordero, meteorologist-in-charge of the Corpus Christi forecast office, presented a certificate and StormReady signs during a special recognition ceremony at the station, Friday, January 11.
"The recognition of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi as the 2,000th StormReady community is a true testament to the Navy's commitment to public safety," said Cordero. "In the latest site inspection, it was clear the station exceeded all the requirements for StormReady status."
To be recognized as StormReady, a community must establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive severe 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; and, develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
"We take disaster preparedness very seriously here at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi," said NASCC Commanding Officer, Capt. Dave Edgecomb. "I could not be more proud of the efforts made by our military and civilian personnel on the base to make sure we are ready to respond should any disaster, including a hurricane, occur."
The StormReady program is part of the National Weather Service's working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association. The StormReady recognition will expire in three years, after which the station will go through a renewal process.
