HSSP recognized for storm preparedness

The National Weather Service in Riverton, Wyoming recognized Hot Springs State Park as StormReady® on Tuesday, February 6.

"Through a partnership between the National Weather Service and emergency management community, the StormReady® program encourages communities to take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and public awareness," said Tim Troutman, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service Riverton, Wyoming forecast office.

Troutman presented Hot Springs State Park Superintendent, Kevin Skates, and Assitant Superintendent, John Fish, with a recognition letter and a special StormReady® sign during a ceremony at the Superintendent's office Tuesday.

This is the first time the state park has been a StormReady® area, Fish said. Among the things that have been done to get the park to this point is provide an early warning system so they can advise visitors of an imminent storm. Fish has also gone to numerous courses and classes on weather.

Among the storm incidents that have happened in the park, Fish and Skates recalled microbursts right in the park that tore down trees and fences.

The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle local severe weather and flooding threats. The program is voluntary and provides organizations with clear-cut advice from the local National Weather Service forecast office and state and local emergency managers. The program began in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area being designated as StormReady® communities.

Today, there are at least 2,705 StormReady® organizations. Hot Springs State Park is the third state park to be recognized in the National Weather Service, Riverton, Wyoming county and warning forecast area and fourth in the state of Wyoming. There are now 32 organizations across the state of Wyoming recognized as StormReady®.

"The StormReady® program is designed to help organizations improve communication and safety skills needed to save lives - before, during and after a severe weather event," said Troutman, warning coordination meteorologist for the forecast office.

To be recognized as StormReady®, an area 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. Other requirements include creating a system that monitors local weather conditions; promoting 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.

Troutman said it was required the state park have two methods to receive severe weather warning information from the National Weather Service, and it was determined the park actually has five. Redundancy is very important in the process, Troutman noted, as in an emergency it's probable that one of the methods could fail. Likewise, the park was required to have two methods to monitor weather and water equipment, but actually has six.

The park also works with Hot Springs County Emergency Management to put out information via phone calls and texts.

When there is an imminent storm, Fish explained, either he or Skates will head over to the Chamber of Commerce Office and let Executive Director Meri Ann Rush know so she can put in online. Then, one will head to the Bath house while the other goes to The Pioneer Home and then to the hotels to rally as many people as they can and let them know what's going on. Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Gordon addd the town itself is also StormReady®.

Troutman stressed the important thing to remember is StormReady® does not mean "storm proof." It means that officials have done everything in their power to be prepared. People can also be more aware of storm like weather by attending weather spotting classes. The next class is scheduled for May 1 at 6 p.m. at the fire hall, and is open to the public.

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 there is a renewal process.