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ISU Named Weather Service StormReady University

Staff

Illinois State's efforts to warn campus and parents about oncoming severe weather have earned the National Weather Service's StormReady University designation. Meteorologists from the NWS Lincoln office recognized ISU during a news conference on campus Wednesday.

Meteorologist Chris Miller said ISU is only the second downstate university to earn the designation, with the other being Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He praised ISU's warning and preparedness efforts, particularly its Emergency Operations Center. "I've been to several, and this is among the best in the state. Definitely the best at any university in the state, if not the Midwest."

Miller says there are several criteria to determine StormReady status, including the operations center, having multiple ways to alert people to severe weather conditions, and having storm shelters and trained spotters.

Eric Hodges, ISU Emergency Manager, said a major improvement to the Operations center occurred when it was moved to a permanent location on campus; a place he would not disclose. Hodges says ISU has been fortunate there haven't been many recent severe weather instances that led to considerable damage on campus. He said the tornado that destroyed many homes in Washington in November 2013 did some damage at ISU but not a lot. "We sent out teams to at least survey what we had in place and fortunately we haven't had a big event since then."

Miller praised ISU's disaster preparedness plans at Hancock Stadium and Redbird Arena, calling them a "model" for college campuses everywhere.

Willis is a Bloomington, IL, native. During his senior year at Bloomington High School, he finished third in the "Radio Speaking" division of the state speech contest, the only year he competed.
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