Have you ever wondered why the University of Houston has outdoor warning sirens or why UH Alert notifies the UH community of severe weather events? 

An overwhelming majority of presidentially declared disasters are related to weather. Therefore, preparation against severe weather events is an important aspect of emergency management at UH. Maintaining a StormReady certification is vital for strengthening the university’s preparedness in effectively managing various forms of extreme weather. 

Toward that effort, the UH Office of Emergency Management has successfully recertified as a StormReady university through the National Weather Service.  StormReady communities must meet the following criteria:  

• Maintain 24-hour warning point  
• Possess an emergency operations center 
• Have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings 
• Maintain hazardous weather plan 
• Have more than one way to alert the community of severe weather 
• Create a system that monitors weather conditions in the area 
• Promote the importance of readiness through community outreach. 

As a StormReady university, the UH community is better prepared to save lives and protect property and continue its goal of student success.  

StormReady is a National Weather Service program that aims to prepare communities for weather related events with communication and safety skills. StormReady communities have advanced planning, education, and awareness. The goal of StormReady is to save lives and protect property. https://uh.edu/emergency-management/about-oem/stormready-university/