Press Release Issued by American Express and the National Weather Service
NOAA’s National Weather Service Feb. 23, 2005
NOAA RECOGNIZES AMERICAN EXPRESS IN GREENSBORO, NC; STORMREADY

Officials from NOAA's National Weather Service recognized the American Express Service Center in Greensboro, N.C., as StormReady. The company, which employs around 2,100 people at its Greensboro location, is one of the first businesses in the nation to be recognized as “StormReady.”  The “StormReady” recognition is the result of American Express’s dedication to their employees and partnering with the Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute and the National Weather Service.

“The ‘StormReady’ program encourages counties, businesses and universities to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and public awareness,” said Jeff Orrock, warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS Weather Forecast Office in Raleigh, N.C.  “North Carolina and the Triad have a long history of severe weather ranging from snow storms to flooding and tornadoes.  It is the goal of ‘StormReady’ to reduce the impact of severe weather through community education and preparedness.”

The Hazardous Weather Preparedness Institute, led by Randy Jackson and Steve Marks, worked directly with American Express and the National Weather Service to develop a comprehensive severe weather safety plan to help protect employees. This team effort resulted in American Express being recognized as one of the first “StormReady” businesses in the nation. 

The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help organizations develop plans to handle local severe weather and flooding threats.  The program is voluntary and provides communities with clear-cut advice from a partnership between the local NWS Weather Forecast Office and state and local emergency managers.  “StormReady” started in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Okla., area.  There are now more than 750 “StormReady” communities in 47 states.

NWS officials presented a “StormReady” recognition letter and special “StormReady” signs to American Express officials during a ceremony at the facility in Greensboro on February 23.

“Every year, approximately 500 Americans lose their lives to severe weather and floods,” said retired Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, director of NOAA's National Weather Service.  “More than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 2,500 floods, 1,000 tornadoes and 10 hurricanes impact the United States annually.  Potentially deadly weather can impact every person in the country.  That’s why the National Weather Service developed the ‘StormReady’ program.”

 To be recognized as “StormReady,” a county must:

• Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center.

• Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public.

• Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally.

• Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars.

• Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises. 

"The United States is the world’s most severe weather-prone region.  The mission of the National Weather Service is to reduce the loss of life and property from these storms, and ‘StormReady’ will help us create better prepared counties throughout the country,” Orrock said.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories.  NOAA's National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.

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