Indian River State College Enhances Regional Weather Monitoring with Advanced Weatherstem System

February 7, 2025 Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL (February 7, 2025) – Indian River State College has installed a state-of-the-art Weatherstem system at locations in Stuart and Fort Pierce strengthening weather monitoring capabilities for the Treasure Coast region. The system, funded through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), is located at the College’s Chastain Campus and Historic Coast Guard House at the Fort Pierce Inlet.

"This advanced weather monitoring system enhances our ability to keep our campus community safe while providing valuable meteorological data for the region," said Dr. Timothy Moore, President of Indian River State College. "The technology aligns with our commitment to utilizing cutting-edge tools that benefit both our students and the community."

The Weatherstemsystem features high-resolution cameras, lightning detection, heat-level monitoring, and real-time radar information. It provides automated weather alerts and forecasting capabilities critical during severe weather events.

As the state-designated Emergency Alert System provider for St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach counties, IRSC Public Media's WQCS (88.9 FM), owned by Indian River State College, plays a vital role in emergency communications. The addition of Weatherstem strengthens this emergency response infrastructure, providing precise, real-time data through its network of stations.

"Having accurate, real-time weather data is essential for our operations and public safety," said Chris Puorro, IRSC Public Media Associate Vice President and General Manager. "This system allows us to monitor conditions precisely and share critical weather information with our community instantly."

"Weatherstem stations provide real-time weather data that helps protect Florida communities," said Edward Mansouri, CEO of Weatherstem. "Our partnership with FDEM and institutions like Indian River State College creates a robust network of weather monitoring systems that enhance public safety and emergency response capabilities across the state."

The system is accessible through:

Website: weatherstem.com.

Stuart Campus (Chastain): https://martin.weatherstem.com/fswnchastain

Fort Pierce Inlet: https://stlucie.weatherstem.com/fswnfortpierceinlet

Mobile apps: Weatherstem apps available on Apple App Store and Google Play

The installation is part of FDEM's initiative to expand weather monitoring coverage across Florida, particularly in areas with limited weather data access. The solar-powered, cellular-enabled stations are built to withstand hurricane-force winds and operate during severe weather events.

For more information about Weatherstem, visit weatherstem.com.

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About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida's Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The College provides more than 120 programs leading to bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. For more information, visit irsc.edu.

About IRSC Public Media: IRSC Public Media operates four public radio stations serving Florida's Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee region: WQCS (88.9 FM), WQCP (91.1 FM), and WQCO (90.5 FM & 88.5 FM). As the state-designated Emergency Alert System provider for St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach counties, IRSC Public Media delivers essential news, weather information, and cultural programming to the communities it serves.

Media Contact: Kathleen Walter, Public Information Officer, kwalter1@irsc.edu