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

"The National Weather Service acknowledged Richland 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," said Vickie Nadolski, NWS Western Region director.

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 at the Co. courthouse today, Nadolski presented each location with special recognition plaques and StormReady signs. The StormReady recognition will be in effect for 3 years when the communities will go through a recertification process.

"The StormReady plan provides counties and communities with clear-cut and timely weather warning and preparedness advice through a partnership between the National Weather Service and emergency managers," said Butch Renders, Richland Co. disaster and emergency services coordinator. "The plan is a great approach to help communities develop systems and projects to handle local severe weather in any season. We are proud to be acknowledged for our readiness capabilities and pleased to continue our association with the NWS as StormReady partners."

"Montana is currently home to 14 StormReady designations," said Julie Adolphson, meteorologist in charge of the NWS office in Glasgow, Mont. "This N.O.A.A. plan is a great example of federal, state and local governments working together to prepare counties and communities for severe weather and floods. We have worked closely with the counties and cities to ensure there are multiple ways to warn those who might be in harm's way during any severe or winter weather event."

State of Montana District four Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Norman Parrent stated, "Richland Co. has always been proactive in hosting severe weather spotter training courses that included the public as well as emergency response personnel and dispatchers. Butch has also done an excellent job with incorporating the training into the newly started Community Emergency Response Team's curriculum."

"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:

• Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
• Have in excess of one way to gain severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public
• Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally
• Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars
• Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

"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," Adolphson 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

Local Office - National Weather Service Glasgow: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/glasgow

N.O.A.A. Weather Radio, All Hazards: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr

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