L - R) -- Franklin Co. EMA Director Eric Trussel, Mayor Richard Stewart, NWS Huntsville MIC Michael Coyne and WCM David Nadler (Photo: WFO Huntsville)
(March 8, 2010) - Franklin Co., Tenn. has been recognized for renewing its StormReady® program. National Weather Service Huntsville, Ala. Meteorologist-in-Charge Michael Coyne and Warning Coordination Meteorologist David Nadler joined Franklin Co. Emergency Management Director Eric Trussel and Mayor Richard Stewart to commemorate the event.
StormReady recognitions expire in three years, after which counties must go through a renewal process. Franklin County has been StormReady since December 2003. To be recognized as StormReady, a community must establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public; create a system that monitors local weather conditions; promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and, develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
Americans live in the most severe weather-prone country on Earth. Each year, they cope with an average of 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, 1,000 tornadoes and an average of two land falling hurricanes; as well as winter storms, intense summer heat, high winds, wild fires and other weather hazards.
Approximately 90 percent of all Federal Disaster Declarations are weather related. These events cause and average of 500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in damage. StormReady, a program started in 1999 in Tulsa, OK, helps arm America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property - before and during the event.
StormReady communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. No community is storm proof, but being StormReady can help communities save lives.
To date, there are nearly 1,600 StormReadycommunities in the United States.
