Oxford and Ole Miss Now "StormReady"

Soon Oxford and the University of Mississippi will be dotted with signs like these.

Oxford and the University of Mississippi have been certified “StormReady.” MPB’s Cari Gervin explains.

It’s taken almost eight years, but the National Weather Service has finally designated Oxford and Ole Miss as StormReady communities.

Oxford’s Director of Emergency Management, Jimmy Allgood, says the city is a safer place than it was after last year’s devastating tornados.

“I would say we’re better prepared and we can prevent the loss of life. We can’t steer the tornado or direct it, so whatever structures it hits, you know, we’re going to sustain damage from it. But we can prevent the loss of life.”

There are now 27 communities in Mississippi that have the StormReady designation, including Ole Miss and the University of Southern Mississippi. Each must have a local weather monitoring system, a formal hazardous weather plan and multiple emergency alert systems.

Jim Belles is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He says he wishes every community in the state would become StormReady.

“More people are killed by tornados in this part of the country than anywhere else. And we typically think of the plains – Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas – for tornados. It’s true that they may have a higher frequency there. But more people are dying in the mid-south.”

But while the tornado sirens might get the most use, the StormReady designation means Oxford and Ole Miss will also be prepared for severe winter storms.

For MPB News, I’m Cari Gervin in Oxford.