N.O.A.A. Acknowledges Flathead County, Mont., StormReady

N.O.A.A. ACKNOWLEDGES FLATHEAD COUNTY, MONT., STORMREADY

Officials from NOAA's National Weather Service acknowledged Flathead County, Mont., as a leader by naming it one of 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 Peter Felsch, warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS Weather Forecast Office in Missoula, Mont. "The National Weather Service ACKNOWLEDGES Flathead Co. for the wide variety of disaster resistant plans that help prepare their citizens and emergency responders for severe weather and flood threats as well as significant winter storms."

The nationwide community preparedness plan uses a grassroots approach to help organizations such as counties, cities, military installations, universities, or other community groups develop projects to handle local severe weather and flooding threats. The plan 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 7 communities in the Tulsa, Okla., area. There are now in excess of 770 StormReady communities in 47 states.

During a presentation today at the Flathead Co. Emergency Operations Center in Kalispell, NWS officials presented a StormReady recognition letter and special StormReady signs to Co. officials. The StormReady recognition will be in effect for 3 years when the Co. will go through a recertification process.

"StormReady provides several benefits to our communities," said Alan Marble, Flathead Co. Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator. "Benefits include improved timeliness and effectiveness of weather warnings to the public, detailed recommendations to help enhance hazardous weather operations for local authorities and an 'image incentive' to our cities and counties that can identify themselves as being StormReady. In fact, for those areas participating in the Countrywide Flood Insurance Program, a StormReady designation means reduced flood insurance rates."

"Every year, around 500 Americans lose their lives to severe weather and floods," said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. "More than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 2,500 floods, 1,000 tornadoes, and ten hurricanes impact the U.S. annually. Potentially deadly weather can impact every person in the country. That's why the National Weather Service developed the StormReady program."

To be acknowledged as StormReady, a community must:

"The U.S. 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 counties throughout the country."

"Just like communities, families need to be storm ready by having an action project for severe weather. Through StormReady, the National Weather Service projects 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," Felsch added.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the U.S. 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 Countrywide economy.

N.O.A.A. is dedicated to enhancing economic security and Countrywide 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

National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov

StormReady Plan Information and Signage: http://www.stormready.noaa.gov