Monroe County Recognized by National Weather Service as StormReady
On 1/17/02, The National Weather Service in Key West presented
2 road signs to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners and Monroe
County Emergency Management in recognition of the county becoming
Storm Ready. NWS Key West worked with Billy Wagner, Irene Toner,
and Jerry O’Cathey from Monroe County Emergency Management and Linda
Brown, Area 7 Coordinator for the FL Department of Emergency Management,
to make sure that Monroe County met all the requirements. NWS
Key West would like to thank each of them for making the process as
smooth as possible.
What exactly is Storm Ready?
It focuses on improving communication and severe weather
preparedness for severe weather such
as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods etc. It also provides guidance
on how to improve warning and
preparedness programs.
Why is Storm Ready important?
Severe weather in the U.S. accounts for many fatalities
and tremendous amounts of damage. Often times, despite large lead
times of impending dangerous weather, many lives are lost in severe
weather because A. people did not receive an appropriate warning
even though one was disseminated. And B. they do not know
how to properly respond to the type of severe weather
occurring. Storm Ready is a way to improve these
2 items and minimize the loss of life related to severe weather.
It also improves local emergency officials ability to have real
time access to NWS warnings, advisories and statements.
What type of requirements are necessary for a county to
be Storm Ready?
Monroe County...
1. Established communication and coordination by
having a 24 hour warning point and an Emergency Operations Center.
2. Receives critical warning information by NOAA Weather
Radio, NOAA Weather wire, Emergency Managers Weather Information
Network, news media, pagers and other technological items.
3. Monitors evolving weather by weather instruments,
radar access, (NWS local internet etc.)
4. Disseminates warnings by cable override, NOAA
Weather Radio in public buildings, Sirens and other unique systems.
5. Increases preparedness by severe weather spotter
and dispatcher training and public safety presentations.
6. Enhances internal procedures by review of hazardous
weather action plans.
It was determined that Monroe County met all these requirements
back in Sept. 2001 and the application is valid for 2 years.
In Sept. 2003, Monroe County will have to renewits application.
Insurance Services Organization grants Storm Ready communities
rating points...potentially reducing flood insurance rates. |
www.srh.weather.gov 
National Weather Service Forecast Office
