This fall, Timber Creek was named a “StormReady School” through a program the National Weather Service calls “StormReady”. In order to be named a StormReady School, a campus must be prepared for severe weather at all times, have plans for designated and safe places to take cover, and have plans in place to be able to effectively communicate the potential of severe weather in advance.
One important factor to becoming a StormReady School that is essential for having everything else fall in place is making sure that all persons in the building have a safe place to take cover, and that these safe rooms are visually marked and easy to see.
“After walking the building and marking safe rooms and unsafe rooms, a plan was put into place, and rooms that are safe rooms are marked so outside of the doorways.” said Jason McLaughlin, the campus’ safety planning specialist. “Rooms that are to move to other locations have a strip posted inside the classroom on the walls, and Mrs. Ratliff and the security staff have done an amazing job of making sure everyone is in a safe location.”
Through being storm ready, and aspiring to promote severe weather awareness, Timber Creek has additionally been recognized as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador. The Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador initiative is an effort to formally recognize National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration partners who are improving the the nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water, and climate events. As a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador, TCHS is committing to work with NOAA and other Ambassadors to strengthen national resilience against extreme weather.
“I find weather safety very important, and a lot of fatalities and injuries can be prevented by simply being weather aware, Knowing What to do, When to do it, and How to do it.” expressed McLaughlin. “Through this partnership (a 3 year agreement), we will continue to fine tune the weather safety of the campus. Preventing injuries, and preventing deaths, and providing the safest environment are the #1 priority of all of the staff here at TCHS.”
Timber Creek will be officially recognized as a “StormReady School” at an award ceremony in the next few weeks.
