National publications rank NIU as a fourth-tier institution, but according to the National Weather Service, NIU is first-rate when it come to storm readiness.

The NWS has certified NIU as the first storm-ready university in the United States.

“This means we are the first school to be designated to be prepared in case of severe weather,” said Gilbert Sebenste, NIU’s staff meteorologist. “We have a warning system in place that gets weather bulletins to the people who need to know within minutes.”

Sebenste said this truly is an accomplishment.

“This is big,” he said. “No school of any type has been declared ready for severe weather. You think about it, the University of Oklahoma and universities in the tornado alley are not as prepared as NIU.”

About 150 programmed weather radios have been installed around campus in places like residence halls, Founders Memorial Library and academic buildings.

The radios sound an alarm that goes off when severe weather reaches. The radios also issue instructions. In addition, a new transmitter and antenna was set up on the roof of Grant D-Tower. In total, more than 500 people are notified simultaneously of severe weather so they can take proper action.

“I trained most of the campus police force, to become trained weather spotters and in addition, several members of [NIU’s] department of environmental health and safety received advanced training. We also have to have established communications with the National Weather Service,” Sebenste said.

Over the past 11 years, four tornados have come dangerously close to campus. The most recent was in 1996, when a home on the far south side of DeKalb was demolished.

When it comes to severe weather, an early warning can be critical, said Jim Allsopp, NWS warning coordination meteorologist.

“It’s very critical to have an early warning,” he said. “Storms can appear so quickly. It takes people some time to get away from windows or out of the football stadium.”

It might save lives in another way, Sebenste said.

“There are additional benefits,” he said. “If there is a terrorist attack or an accident at the nuclear power plant, the system could be used to help evacuate the university.”

At 10 a.m. Wednesday there will be an official certification ceremony at the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room.

“It’s an incredible honor for the university,” said Rob Vest, director of the environmental health and safety department. “I am very proud of Gilbert and the work he has done to gain this certification.”