Hartsfield-Jackson Achieves Weather-Ready Ambassador Designation

Kim Stevens Georgia

Just in time for the start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) attains the Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador designation. This earned classification formally recognizes National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partners strengthening the nation’s resistance to extreme weather, water and climate events. As a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, ATL will educate stakeholders and local communities on severe weather preparedness. Additionally, ATL is working with NOAA and other Ambassadors to strengthen national resilience against extreme weather.

This designation, received in mid-May, furthers the collaboration ATL’s Emergency Management (EM) has established with the National Weather Service (NWS) and strengthens the Airport’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its passengers and employees. ATL’s EM Preparedness Team spearheaded the effort to meet all requirements and guidelines.

“Our Emergency Management unit is the best in our industry,” said ATL General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari. “The safety of our customers, staff, and stakeholders is always our top priority. Pursuing and earning the Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador designation speaks to our commitment to ensure that when nature is at its worst, we are at our best.”

“I’m proud of the EM team’s actions that led to this designation,” said ATL Assistant General Manager of Emergency Management Gus Hudson. “This designation represents our ongoing commitment to partnering with our stakeholders, surrounding communities, state and federal partners in preparedness efforts of weather awareness.

This is ATL’s second designation by the NWS. It also earned StormReady designation in 2017, which underscores its commitment to increased weather safety awareness for passengers and employees. The designation also provides assurance of effective communication and preparedness before and during severe weather events. ATL is the first airport in Georgia and the second commercial site in the state to achieve StormReady certification.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.