Forsyth County’s Storm Preparedness Confirmed with Recertification

Forsyth County continues to be recognized as StormReady®  

In early 2007, the National Weather Service (NWS) first designated Forsyth County as a StormReady® community. The designation came only after meeting stringent requirements displaying the county was well prepared for severe weather events. Now, the National Weather Service has recertified Forsyth County as a StormReady® community, signaling the county has continued to maintain a high level of severe weather preparedness.  

“It is a great honor to continue the StormReady® certification from the National Weather Service,” Emergency Management Coordinator Lorraine Morris said. “Forsyth County Emergency Management strives to enhance preparedness activities for our citizens and being awarded this certification is one way to show how dedicated we are in achieving those milestones in prevention and preparedness.”  

To be recognized as StormReady®, a county must meet criteria established jointly between the NWS and state and local emergency management officials:

• Having a local 24-hour warning point and an Emergency Operations Center
• Having multiple ways of receiving NWS warnings
• Being able to monitor local weather/river conditions
• Having multiple ways of alerting the public         
• Promoting public readiness through community seminars and presentations
• Having a formal hazardous weather plan
• Having trained spotters
• Conducting periodic drills/exercises
• Interacting with their supporting NWS office

The essence of the program is to ensure the entire warning system performs properly when severe weather strikes. The warning system is comprised of the NWS (which issues the warnings), local emergency management (which ensures the warnings are communicated), and the general public (who respond properly to the warnings). When each part of this system performs well, lives and property are saved. StormReady® recognizes the counties in which the system is most likely to perform well.  

“We are proud to continue to be a StormReady® community,” EMA Director and Fire Chief Danny Bowman said. “The recertification is a reflection of the hard work that goes into preparing our county for severe weather situations.”

Since the county’s original certification as a StormReady® community, Forsyth County has taken additional measures to prepare the community for severe weather. In 2009, the county activated new outdoor severe weather sirens, designed to alert those who are outdoors of approaching severe weather. If the county is placed under a tornado warning, the sirens will be activated. In November 2007, Forsyth County launched TV Forsyth, the county’s 24-hour government cable channel on Comcast channel 23. In addition to producing and airing educational programming about emergency preparedness, the channel can also provide alerts during emergency situations.  

“Prior to becoming a StormReady® county, Forsyth County had always done a great job of providing preparedness and education to its citizens,” National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Barry Gooden said. “Upon becoming a StormReady® county, their efforts have been no less impressive. The EMA continues to adhere to and support the guidelines of the StormReady® program. In addition to being a strong supporter of the program in the county, their supportive attitude is also carried throughout the area by encouraging and helping other counties to see the benefit in becoming a StormReady® county.”  

Forsyth County is one of 67 counties in Georgia to have earned the StormReady® designation.