Levelland, Hockley County deemed storm ready

National Weather Service Officials presented Levelland and Hockley County with a Storm Ready designation prior to a storm spotting and preparedness class at the Levelland Fire Station last Tuesday.

The Storm Ready designation recognizes communities that have achieved a high level of preparedness for severe weather events according to Justin Weaver from the National Weather Service.

“It’s a big deal,” Weaver said.

Some requirements for a community to be considered for Storm Ready designation include having a 24 hour warning point or an Emergency Operations Center.

Having multiple ways to receive warnings from the weather service and also multiple ways of alerting the public.

Using seminars and presentations to educate the public and increase readiness.

Developing a formal hazardous weather plan.

Conducting periodic drills Interacting with their local weather office.

All of the cities in Hockley County are included in the designation.

Cole Kirkland, the current Levelland-Hockley County Emergency Management Director and Jeff Pharis, Skywarn Director, both credit former emergency management director David Corder with laying a great deal of the groundwork.

“When (David) Corder came on, he revised policies and plans to meet the Storm Ready standards,” said Pharis.

Kirkland continued the work that has culminated in the designation after Corder retired.

Pharis emphasized that Skywarn is only a part of the program.

“Skywarn is a group of volunteer spotters trained by the weather service,” he said, adding that Skywarn is a nation program through the weather service established in 1967.

The Hockley County organization was formed in 1994. Weaver also said that the Skywarn spotters are in radio contact with the weather service office to give updates on weather conditions in real time.

“Even though we have Doppler radar and other technology, we still need spotters,” Weaver said.

Spotters are often needed in because the storm is far enough away that radar can’t compensate for the curvature of the earth.

Also, spotters can give information that radar can’t, such as the size of hail or if a hook echo showing on the radar is an actual tornado or funnel cloud.

There are multiple ways to stay informed about severe weather in Hockley County.

Emergency management utilizes KLVT radio, Facebook and Twitter as well as the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS).

That system uses e-mail, texts, and popup reports. Citizens can go to RUAWARE.US to register for alerts in 16 area counties including Hockley and Cochran.

In addition, if a wireless device has “emergency alerts by location” turned on, it will allow for alerts to local emergency situations similar to amber alerts.

“The alerts are cell tower based,” said Kirkland, “so you will get them based on your actual location.”

Citizens with questions can contact Kirkland at the Levelland Fire Station or call 806-894-3155.