Marana outlet mall certified ‘Storm Ready' emergency center in severe weather

Tucson Premium Outlets has become certified under StormReady, a National Weather Service program that recognizes communities and government and commercial sites for their readiness for storms.

The outlet mall, which opened last year at Twin Peaks Road and Interstate 10 in Marana, also was named a “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador” along with more than 200 other properties nationwide owned by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group.

The designations recognize communities and public and private sites for their preparedness to handle all types of severe and potentially life-threatening weather situations through communications infrastructures, community outreach and hazardous weather training.

The StormReady program was initially set up in the storm-plagued Tulsa, Oklahoma, area in 1999 to increase preparedness and reduce storm-related deaths.

To qualify for the StormReady designation, applicants must have a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public; create a system that monitors weather conditions locally, promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars and develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors additionally pledge to promote the program’s message of disaster preparedness.

Simon says it is the first real-estate investment trust to get StormReady status at all of its locations nationwide, which besides Tucson Premium Outlets includes Arizona Mills in Chandler and Phoenix Premium Outlets.

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The other StormReady designees in Southern Arizona are Pima County, the town of Oro Valley and the University of Arizona, according to the program’s website.

“Our center plays a key role in the area, and the safety and security of area residents and visitors is of utmost importance,” Elyse Munger, director of marketing and business development for Tucson Premium Outlets, said in a news release. “Leading by example, our hope is that other organizations that serve as community gathering places will follow suit.”

Ken Drozd, warning coordinating meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Tucson, said the StormReady designation was originally for communities but has been opened to private entities.

“You now have some of these large companies recognizing the importance of making sure they have communications 24-7,” said Drodz. “Just going through this makes you focus on certain aspects to make sure you have emergency preparedness set up.”

There is no cost to apply for StormReady certification, except that of meeting the requirements.

For more information on StormReady, go to stormready.noaa.gov.