The past year has proven that Charlottesville is not exempt from inclement weather. Since last fall, we have seen days of heavy rain and wind, a storm delay at a UVA Football game, and several winter storms interrupting operations in January and February. As we approach the end of the academic year and the largest event of the year, Final Exercises, the threat of inclement weather is always part of our work. While we continue to monitor storms and issue guidance on how to handle these weather events, one office from the UVA Department of Safety and Security is going above and beyond to prepare Grounds.
The University of Virginia Office of Emergency Management (UVAEM) has been awarded the prestigious StormReady certification by the National Weather Service (NWS), recognizing the University’s ongoing commitment to severe weather preparedness and community resilience.
StormReady is a national program developed by the NWS that helps communities and institutions strengthen their safety protocols before, during, and after hazardous weather events. To achieve the certification, UVA demonstrated a comprehensive approach to emergency planning, including robust communication systems, community outreach and education, and coordination with local and national emergency response partners.
John DeSilva, Director of Emergency Management at UVA, emphasized the significance of the certification: “This designation reflects years of dedicated effort by our team and partners across the University. Being StormReady isn’t just about having a plan on paper— it’s about creating a culture of preparedness. Severe weather can strike at any time, and this recognition shows that UVA is not only ready to respond but also focused on keeping our community informed and safe.”
To become StormReady, UVAEM met rigorous criteria, including establishing multiple ways to receive and disseminate severe weather warnings, developing a formal hazardous weather plan, and conducting regular training and emergency drills.
In awarding the StormReady designation to UVA, the NWS underscored the collaborative nature of the certification process. The University of Virginia has demonstrated a high level of effectiveness in communicating hazardous weather warnings and preparing the public for weather impacts. UVA and NWS Baltimore/Washington have worked on many projects and weather events together, and it has been an excellent partnership.
UVA now joins a select group of StormReady universities nationwide, positioning itself as a higher-education emergency preparedness leader. The certification is valid for four years, during which the University will continue to refine its emergency preparedness and conduct regular reviews to ensure compliance with StormReady standards.
The Office of Emergency Management encourages all students, faculty, and staff to download the University’s safety app, UVA Ready, and to follow the Department of Safety and Security on X (formerly Twitter) @UVASafety for real-time updates and safety tips.