"While the weather is beyond our control, the StormReady program serves as another tool to help us better prepare in dealing with whatever Mother Nature sends our way," said GEMA Director Charley English. "Warren County Emergency Management Agency and local leaders should be commended for taking proactive measures to protect their citizens."
Although specific StormReady guidelines vary depending on the size of the community, to be designated in the program requires the following:
- Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center;
- Develop more than one way to receive and disseminate severe weather warnings and forecasts to alert the public;
- Create a system that monitors local weather conditions;
- Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and
- Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
"Citizens in a StormReady community can take comfort in the fact that their local leaders have achieved a standard level of protection from hazardous weather," said Lans Rothfusz, Meteorologist-in-Charge, NWS, "This program also fulfills the mission of the partner agencies which is to protect life and property from dangerous weather conditions."
Other counties throughout Georgia are encouraged to apply to their supporting NWS office for StormReady recognition. StormReady communities that are also in the National Flood Insurance Program may receive additional Insurance Services Organization (ISO) points, thereby possibly lowering flood insurance premiums in the community.For more information on severe weather and the StormReady program visit the OHS-GEMA Web site at www.gema.state.ga.us/.
