Sun ‘n Fun Now ‘StormReady’

Connie Sue White

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 10:48 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Sun 'n Fun has become the first-ever aviation event to earn NWS StormReady certification, a direct response to the damaging E-1 tornado and torrential downpour that affected the 2011 show.
The StormReady designation involves establishing a 24-hour warning point, multiple public alert methods, local weather monitoring, public readiness promotion, and a formal hazardous weather plan with training.
In addition to weather preparedness, show organizers also improved main parking areas to prevent the widespread flooding and traffic issues experienced during the 2011 event.

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The property damage, destruction and flooding caused by the E-1 tornado and torrential downpour that hit the Sun ‘n Fun grounds on March 31, 2011, will likely be on the minds of many as the 38th Annual Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in & Expo approaches. Though the odds of a repeat performance happening again at this year’s Spring Break for Pilots (March 27 through April 1) seem unlikely, show organizers took the lessons from the storm to heart. As of last month, SNF is a National Weather Service _Storm_Ready certified event.

SNF President John Leenhouts announced the designation to a crowd of more than 200 attending last Saturday’s volunteer meeting held in the FAA Safety Center located at Lakeland Linder Regional. “Not only is Sun ‘n Fun _Storm_Ready, but it’s also the first-ever aviation event to earn the NWS certification.”