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Department of Parks
South Central State Parks Added to NWS StormReady® Program
South Central State Parks Added to NWS StormReady® Program
FRANKFORT, Ky.--Two Kentucky state parks are the first state parks in the nation to be designated as StormReady® Supporters by the National Weather Service (NWS).
Personnel at Lake Cumberland and Dale Hollow State Resort parks in south central Kentucky have completed the NWS training program designed to enhance the safety of parks guests and staff in case of severe weather. Representatives from the NWS, the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management and members of the Kentucky General Assembly were included today at a dedication event at Lake Cumberland’s Lure Lodge with park’s staff and other guests.
“Completing the necessary training to be StormReady® Supporters can literally save lives,” said Commissioner Gerry van der Meer of the Kentucky Department of Parks. “We’re pleased to serve as the model for state park systems around the nation and to add to the more than 1,600 existing sites that are associated with the program nationwide. It’s an important component for our guest services and training will continue until all state parks are included,” he said. “If we can help advocate to others to join the communities, military sites, schools and more that make up the 140 StormReady® participants in Kentucky, then we’ve helped make Kentuckians safer.”
The StormReady® designation increases the potential for the two parks to secure funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to add other safety features to park grounds, like warning sirens, that would enhance safety. As a supporter, the staffs at the two parks provide information to guests at check-in, closely monitor weather conditions and notify guests and staff to move to the safe area if necessary.
The Kentucky Department of Parks, which manages the 51 state parks and recreation sites in the state, plans for staff at all 31 campgrounds and 15 other parks with lodges and cottages, enrolled in the StormReady® Supporters by early 2011.
For more information about the StormReady® program that was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s severe weather programs under the National Weather Service, log on to www.stormready.noaa.gov.
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Kentucky State Parks are made up of 51 state parks plus one that is shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 52 parks with lodges, campgrounds, swimming and restaurants. Each year, Kentucky parks draw millions of visitors and generate hundreds of millions for Kentucky’s economy but admission and parking are always free.
For more information about amenities, events and other aspects of KySP, visit the website at http://www.parks.ky.gov
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