UNC Wilmington is one of approximately 25 institutions nationwide with an approved mitigation plan, which prepares the university to be disaster resistant and resilient during crisis situations involving a wide spectrum of potential hazards. The plan focuses on hazards such as hurricanes, winter storms, hazardous materials spills and terrorism.

In addition, UNCW is the first university in North Carolina and one of only 14 universities in the nation to be certified as StormReady by the National Weather Service (NWS). The university was recently certified for a second time with this designation by NWS. As a StormReady university, UNCW has proven its weather readiness by passing a thorough review by NWS officials on numerous points of inspection, including communication plans, technology systems, staff training, campus education and other preparations that can save lives from the onslaught of severe weather.

Suzanne Blake, UNCW emergency management coordinator, said, "UNCW is proud to work with FEMA and the NWS to continuously improve the safety of our area. Both of these honors are the product of years of hard work by the UNCW environmental health and safety department, UNCW emergency personnel, the UNCW Disaster Resistant University (DRU) Council, and other members of the campus and the community at large."

Governor Bev Perdue and the NWS have declared March 1-7 Severe Weather Awareness Week. UNCW and the surrounding community are using the week to educate others about the importance of preparation: http://www.uncw.edu/ba/safety/SevereWeatherAwarenessWeek.html

By request, media are invited to capture interviews with emergency responders and visual opportunities including emergency personnel servicing campus sirens on rooftops and organizing emergency equipment.

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu