Storm Ready -- Kings Island

Tropical System in the Gulf; Dangerous Heat and Air Quality Concerns; Severe Thunderstorms for Midwest to mid-Atlantic

Tropical system in the Gulf expected to gradually strengthen the next couple of days off the Florida Panhandle and Alabama coasts. Instances of flash flooding will be possible through Thursday along the eastern and central Gulf Coast. Severe thunderstorms will develop and move along a cold front crossing the Upper Midwest, and through the Ohio Valley/Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday. Read More >

Congratulations to Kings Island on becoming StormReady!

Kings Island Amusement Park
Designated StormReady in December 2015; Presentation on March 7, 2016
(From L to R):
Brandon Peloquin, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Wilmington OH;
Jeff Hetzer, Fire and Safety Department Supervisor, Kings Island;
Leslie Stalker, Fire and Safety Manager, Kings Island;
Ken Haydu, Meteorologist In Charge, NWS Wilmington, OH.
Picture taken by Doug Kramer, Safety and Security Director, Kings Island.

Kings Island Amusement Park is vulnerable to a variety of hazardous weather. By becoming StormReady, officials at Kings Island show a commitment to protecting the lives of those who work and visit Kings Island. StormReady is a cooperative effort between Kings Island and the National Weather Service. The program emphasizes the necessary flow of information between Kings Island and the National Weather Service in the form of severe weather reports and warnings. An improved flow of information results in an improved warning system.

StormReady is a nationwide community preparedness program which is a grassroots approach to preparing for natural hazards.Today, more than 2,400 StormReady communities and nearly 500 StormReady Supporters throughout the nation help citizens become better prepared for severe weather.

To be recognized as StormReady, an organization must go through a rigorous process, including: maintaining a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; monitoring local weather and flood conditions; conducting community preparedness programs; ensuring hazardous weather and flooding are addressed in formal emergency management plans, which include training SKYWARN weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.