GUAM - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) has once again recognized Guam as a StormReady and TsunamiReady Coummunity for an additional three (3) years effective June 2009 through June 2012.

“Our plans and procedures are continually being updated and tested to ensure an appropriate posture to execute our mission and mandates and strengthen the partnerships between the EOC, response agencies and the National Weather Service,” stated Charles Ada, Guam Homeland Security and Office of Civil Defense Acting Administrator. “The renewal of our StormReady, TsunamiReady status is evident in the strides we have made and we continue to make in better preparing our island and our people.”

StormReady and TsunamiReady are nationwide programs that urge communities and emergency managers to take a proactive approach to better protecting their citizens and themselves during hazardous weather-related emergencies and disasters. The StormReady and TsumaniReady programs arm emergency managers with guidance on how to improve hazardous weather operations, mitigating the threats and challenges associated with such emergencies and disasters.

The renewal of this recognition follows Guam’s adherence to the high standards under the StormReady and TsunamiReady programs.  These standards include:

• Establishing a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
• Having  multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts with multiple ways to alert the public
• Having access to a system that monitors weather conditions locally
• Promoting the importance of public readiness through community seminars and outreach
• Developing a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe-weather spotters, holding emergency exercises and conducting periodic drills.

“The people of Guam are very fortunate to have such a dedicated, hard working group of emergency managers.  They are trained, they are tested and they are ready – StormReady and TsunamiReady,” stated Chip Guard, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist.

Guam has been a StormReady, TsunamiReady Community since 2006.  With this designation, the island remains among the 1473 StormReady Communities and 65 TsunamiReady Communities in all 50 states and territories.

This news story was prepared from a media release provided to Guam News Factor by Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense.