Guidelines for single school recognition:

1. NOAA Weather Radio

  -NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) near the school's front office or supervisor's desk. Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) NWR required. For more info about NOAA Weather Radio, click here.

2. Backup Weather Information

  -Establish a backup method to receive real time weather information (i.e. EAS radio station, internet, television etc.)

3. Tornado Shelter Areas

  -Identification of tornado shelter areas

4. Tornado Drills

  -Tornado drills twice a year

5. Skywarn Spotter Training

  -Spotter training for at least 10 teachers/staff every three years (including Principal and/or Vice Principal. PE teachers recommended). Re-training recommended every 3 years. (Training is provided by NWS either in person or online).

6. Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO)

  -Access and post the Hazardous Weather Outlook twice daily

7. Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP)

  -Develop a Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP)

8. Lightning Safety

  -Coaches and/or PE teachers annually review the Coaches & Sports Officials Guide to Lightning Safety (found on the Resource page)

9. Weather Equipment (Optional)

  -Set up a weather station at the school.

  -Lightning detector for outdoor activities

  Guidelines for school district/county school system recognition:

1. NOAA Weather Radio

  -Provide a NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) to each school in the district, to be kept at the front desk/office. Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME)  NWR required. For more info about NOAA Weather Radio, click here.

2. Backup Weather Information

  -Establish a backup method to receive real time weather information (i.e. EAS radio station, internet, television etc.)

3. Tornado Shelter Areas

  -Identification of tornado shelter areas for each school

4. Tornado Drills

  -Tornado drills twice a year at each school

5. Skywarn Spotter Training

  -Spotter training for at least 10 teachers or staff from each school every three years (including Principal and/or Vice Principal, PE teachers recommended). Re-training recommended every 3 years. (Training is provided by NWS either in person or online).

6. Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO)

  -Each school access and post the Hazardous Weather Outlook twice daily

7. Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP)

  -Each school develop a Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP)

8. Lightning Safety

  -Coaches and/or PE teachers annually review the Coaches & Sports Officials Guide to Lightning Safety (found on the Resource page)

9. Bus Drivers Complete Online Safety Training Course

  (Course provided by NWS, found on Resource page)

10. Weather Equipment (Optional)

  -Set up a weather station at the school.

  -Lightning detector for outdoor activities

An interior section of the same Xenia school. Note the minimal damage.

(Photo Courtesy Tim Marshall)

      How to Apply