NWS Southern Region Dir, Bill Proenza addresses audience at dedication as MIC Bill Read and county officials look on (Photo by Michael Kennedy, WFO Houston/Galveston)

(May 25, 2005) -- National Weather Service Southern Region Director Bill Proenza and Meteorologist-in-Charge Bill Read joined Galveston County officials to dedicate a new county emergency facility and collocated Houston/Galveston Weather Forecast Office. The WFO is the first in the nation to be collocated in a county emergency center. In addition to the WFO, the Galveston County Emergency Operations Center houses the county's Office of Emergency Management and 911 Emergency Communications District.

Read says the collocation creates a synergy that will help all of the agencies prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies. "It will streamline and make more efficient the way we communicate and coordinate during major weather events such as hurricanes".

Previously, the county's Emergency Operations Center was located in the basement of the adjacent North County Building - across the road (FM 646) from the Weather Forecast Office. Both were subject to the possibility of severe flooding during a Category 4 (or higher) hurricane. Now, they are located on the second level of a building capable of resisting winds in excess of 155 mph. and storm surge associated with a Category 5 hurricane.

"When the weather is at its worst, it is imperative that our National Weather Service Forecast Office remain operational to complete our mission to protect life and property," said Proenza. "This facility affords our staff protection during the most severe weather conditions."

Under a lease arrangement, the Galveston County Sheriff's Department will have use of the old weather forecast office building -- in exchange for the space allotted to the National Weather Service in the new emergency management facility. Neither agency will charge the other rent for the space.