Coconino County photo
On September 2, Coconino County officials and meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS) gathered to officially proclaim Coconino County as a StormReady county. The goal of the program is to provide the necessary communication and safety tools to cities, counties and towns across the nation to help prepare them to save lives and property within their communities during a severe weather event.
In order to achieve this designation, Coconino County had to meet several criteria, including the following:
* Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
* Have more than three methods of receiving severe weather forecasts and warnings and alerting the public
* Create a system that monitors local weather conditions
* Promote the significance of public readiness through community seminars
* Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and conducting exercises
Officials in attendance included Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta, County Manager Steve Peru, Deputy County Manager Larry Dannenfeldt, Chief Deputy Sheriff Jim Driscoll, County Emergency Manager Sherrie Collins, NWS Meteorologist in Charge Brian Klimowski and NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist George Howard.
“September is National Preparedness Month and this designation as a StormReady County emphasizes the importance of the partnerships between local government, the National Weather Service and our citizens,” said Sherrie Collins. “I appreciate the effort of the National Weather Service in assisting Coconino County in achieving this designation.”
With its share of severe weather—including floods, wind, hail and heavy snow storms—Coconino County, through the Storm Ready program, will be better prepared when severe weather strikes.
“The National Weather Service is pleased to recognize Coconino County as StormReady,” said Brian Klimowski. “Sherrie has been the driving force behind this achievement. Her efforts during, and well before, the application process have helped Coconino County attain this status quickly and smoothly.”
StormReady signs were provided to County officials and they will be placed in strategic locations around the County.
Storm Ready communities at the National Weather service
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