NOAA'S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECOGNIZES
OTSEGO COUNTY, N.Y., AS STORMREADY

Officials from NOAA's National Weather Service recognized Otsego County, N.Y., as a leader by naming them among the agency’s StormReady communities. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“StormReady encourages counties to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and public awareness,” said Barbara Watson, meteorologist-in-charge of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Binghamton, N.Y. “StormReady arms counties and communities with improved communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property – before and during the event.”

The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help organizations such as counties, cities, military installations, universities, or other community groups develop plans to handle local severe weather and flooding threats. The program is voluntary, and provides communities with clear-cut advice from a partnership between the local National Weather Service office and state and local emergency managers. StormReady started in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Okla., area. There are now more than 880 StormReady communities in 47 states.

A presentation of a certificate and StormReady road signs to the Otsego County Board of Directors occurred April 6 at a special ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y.

“Every year, around 500 Americans lose their lives to severe weather and floods,” said Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), director of NOAA's National Weather Service. “More than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 2,500 floods and 1,000 tornadoes impact the United States annually, and hurricanes are a threat to the Gulf and East coasts. Potentially deadly weather can affect every person in the country. That’s why NOAA's National Weather Service developed the StormReady program.”

To be recognized as StormReady, a county or community must:

“The United States is the most severe weather prone region of the world,” said Johnson. “The mission of the National Weather Service is to reduce the loss of life and property from these storms, and StormReady will help us create better prepared communities throughout the country.”

“Just like communities, families need to be storm ready by having an action plan for severe weather. Through StormReady, the National Weather Service plans to educate every American about what to do when severe weather strikes because it is ultimately each individual’s responsibility to protect him or herself. Only you can save your own life. The best warnings in the world won’t save you if you don’t take action when severe weather threatens,” Watson added.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA's National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov

NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr

An image of the StormReady sign and more program information is available at http://www.stormready.noaa.gov