LOUISVILLE, KY (March 26, 2007) … The Muhammad Ali Center is one of the only organizations in the Louisville Metro area to receive the StormReady Supporter certification from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service.

“We want our guests to feel safe and secure knowing that when they are visiting our facility, we are prepared for all hazards, whether it’s inclement weather or other emergencies,” says Timothy Oldham, Director of Security for the Muhammad Ali Center.  “We are proud to be one of the few organizations in the city to complete the StormReady Supporter program.”

StormReady Supporters are local entities (such as businesses, hospitals, malls, schools, etc.) that promote the principles and guidelines of severe weather preparedness. StormReady Supporters must incorporate specific guidelines into their severe weather safety and awareness plans.

“We are thrilled to have a major downtown attraction receiving the National Weather Service warnings and implementing an in-depth plan of action. StormReady does not mean storm proof, but the Ali Center has mitigated the onslaught of severe weather through better planning, education, and awareness,” says John Gordon, Meteorologist-In-Charge for the National Weather Service (Louisville office).

The StormReady program, sponsored by NOAA’s National Weather Service, focuses on improving communication and severe weather preparedness in communities.  The initiative helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local hazard mitigation and emergency response plans to provide the best possible chance of being warned before a weather disaster strikes.

"As a StormReady Supporter, the Ali Center’s awareness and preparedness is heightened in the event of a tornado or other types of damaging storms.  It is a significant defense against the ravages of severe weather,” says Norm Reitmeyer, Retired Warning Coordination Meteorologist.

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