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NWS proud CNMI recognized as StormReady, TsunamiReady
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service is extremely proud of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota for being recognized as StormReady and TsunamiReady.
This recognition is a concerted effort of the entire community of each island. Island leaders have demonstrated that they and their staffs can respond to natural hazards in a timely and systematic manner, and can adequately ensure the safety of their citizens and visitors.
Saipan has been recognized as StormReady and TsunamiReady since August 2007, Tinian since October 2008, and Rota since March 2009. These two programs recognize communities that critically and thoroughly assess their ability to deal with the threats of tsunamis, typhoons, and other weather and ocean hazards.
The programs include a long list of requirements that must be met and maintained by those locations that apply for and achieve the recognition. The number of requirements is partly based on population. Saipan requires the highest level of attainment for both the Island as a whole and the Emergency Operations Center, located at Homeland Security Emergency Management at Capitol Hill, since the island population exceeds 40,000 people. Some of the program requirements include: at least four different types of NWS information reception equipment, at least four types of local weather and water monitoring equipment such as anemometers and rain gauges, at least four ways of getting warning information out to the public, a variety of annual safety talks and exercises, comprehensive and up-to-date emergency plans, excellent documentation, and a close working relationship with the local NWS Forecast Office. Tinian and Rota has to meet and maintain a slightly smaller package of requirements.
The NWS is equally proud of the achievements of Guam, which has been recognized since June 2006. The Air Force and Navy have also been recognized on Guam, joining the elite group of 2320 locations designated as StormReady and 187 identified as TsunamiReady. More information on these programs can be obtained at http://www.stormready.noaa.gov and at http://www.tsunamiready.noaa.gov.
