NOAA 2004-R299-40
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Greg Romano
11/1/04

NOAA RECOGNIZES WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, S.C., STORMREADY

Officials from NOAA's National Weather Service recognized Williamsburg County, S.C., as a leader by naming it among the agency’s StormReady communities today. 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 Michael Caropolo, meteorologist in charge at the NWS Weather Forecast Office in Wilmington N.C. “South Carolina and Williamsburg County have a long history of severe weather and it is the goal of StormReady to reduce the impact of severe weather in the state.”

“StormReady recognition is a positive indication this community takes the dangers of severe weather seriously,” said Dr. James R. Mahoney, assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA deputy administrator. “NOAA commends the efforts of community leaders to protect their citizenry from harm. We hope these efforts will continue to spread across the country.”

The nationwide community preparedness program uses a grassroots approach to help communities 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 NWS Weather Forecast Office and state and local emergency managers. StormReady started in 1999 with seven communities in the Tulsa, Okla., area. There are now more than 800 StormReady communities in 47 states.

The presentation of the certificate to the Williamsburg County Council will occur today at the regularly scheduled Council meeting. The StormReady recognition will be in effect for three years when the county will go through a recertification process.

“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, 1,000 tornadoes, and 10 hurricanes impact the United States annually. Potentially deadly weather can impact every person in the country. That’s why the NOAA's National Weather Service developed the StormReady program.”

To be recognized as StormReady, a community must:

“The United States is one of the most severe weather prone regions of the world,” Soroka said. “The mission of NOAA's 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 counties, 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,” Caropolo added.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The 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 All Hazards Weather Radio: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr

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