Indiana: Bally's Evansville becomes the first casino in the US to earn StormReady accreditation

Bally’s Evansville Casino in Indiana has become the first casino in the United States to receive "storm-ready" accreditation from the National Weather Service. Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has officially declared August 24th as 'Bally’s Evansville Storm Ready Day' in the City of Evansville, celebrating the casino's achievement.

The StormReady program, administered by the National Weather Service, empowers communities with the essential skills and resources needed to respond effectively to a range of extreme weather events.

From the destructive force of tornadoes to the challenges posed by winter storms, the program equips emergency managers and personnel with critical knowledge to navigate these crises successfully.

To earn StormReady status, a community must adhere to stringent criteria, including:

• Establishing a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center: This ensures that the community has a centralized hub for disseminating critical information during severe weather events.
• Multiple communication channels for weather warnings: StormReady communities must have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts, ensuring that alerts reach the public through various means.
• Local weather monitoring systems: The program necessitates communities to establish a system that monitors local weather conditions to stay informed and make timely decisions.
• Promotion of public readiness: StormReady communities conduct community seminars and outreach to educate residents about the importance of being prepared for extreme weather.
• Development of a formal hazardous weather plan: This comprehensive plan includes training severe weather spotters and conducting emergency exercises to ensure readiness.

Chris Mayton, the Risk and Safety Manager at Bally's, noted that the casino already had many prerequisites in place for the StormReady accreditation. However, the casino has recently undergone training on an advanced emergency notification system that enhances its ability to disseminate critical information rapidly. 

”Ever Bridge was one of the keys that put us over the top. With that system regardless if it is weather, active shooter, whatever the case may be, we have a notification system that we can get in touch with everybody on property pretty well in just in minutes, actually seconds,” he told 14 News.

The casino's emergency management team now operates with a comprehensive framework of guidelines, enabling them to make informed decisions that can potentially save lives and safeguard property during adverse weather conditions.

Bally’s Evansville, situated along the picturesque banks of the Ohio River in southwestern Indiana, is a multi-million-dollar entertainment complex. The casino boasts 45,000 square feet of gaming space, featuring over 950 slot games, thirty live and electronic table games, and a High Limit Room.

Accommodations include a 243-room hotel tower and a 95-room boutique hotel. The property also includes a sportsbook, three dining options, three bars, a conference center, a riverfront event center, and a 1,660-vehicle attached parking garage.

While the accreditation is valid for four years, it can be renewed for another four years with board approval.