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ITD’s southeastern Idaho office earns StormReady designation
for winter preparations

The calendar may say early October, and the slick winter-driving season is not yet here, but the ability to look ahead is one of the attributes noted by the National Weather Service (NWS) in awarding ITD’s southeastern Idaho office the coveted StormReady designation.

The StormReady Local Advisory Board awarded ITD District 5 the recognition Oct. 1.

To meet the requirements for the StormReady recognition, the district had to demonstrate a level of emergency preparedness, including communications, equipment, facilities and personnel. The recognition also considered such factors as redundant methods of weather monitoring, trained storm spotters and communication with NWS, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“StormReady is a recognition of our preparedness and ability to provide services to the traveling public,” said District 5 Maintenance Coordinator Wayne Curtis. “This is about expanding and strengthening partnerships to enhance safety.”

“D5 has a strong partnership with our local NOAA office, thanks to the efforts of Wayne Curtis of ITD and Vern Preston of NOAA,” said District Engineer Ed Bala.

“ITD receives the benefit of customized weather modeling and forecasts, along with 24/7 phone access to a meteorologist. NOAA receives the benefit of access to our RWIS sites, which act as small weather stations to extend NOAA’s data collection,” Bala added.

According to the NOAA website, “being part of a Weather-Ready Nation is about building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events. StormReady helps arm America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property--before, during and after the event. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs.”

District 5 is just the second ITD district to achieve the StormReady designation. In 2012, ITD’s District 4 office became the first transportation agency in Idaho and the United States to earn the designation usually reserved for towns and other municipalities.

For more information about the National Weather Service StormReady program, go to www.stormready.noaa.gov.