(L-R) Ruth Merritt, Debbie Henry, Cory Thomas and Barbie Womble StormReady is a National Weather Service program designed to recognize counties that have reached a high level of severe weather preparedness. To be recognized as StormReady, Miller County Emergency Management worked closely with the National Weather Service Forecast Officein Tallahassee, to meet a joint set of specific criteria established between the National Weather Service and state and local officials. The goal of the program is to ensure that the entire warning system performs properly when severe weather strikes. The best warning in the world is useless if the people who are in harm's way don't receive the warning, or if they received it but do not know what to do to protect themselves.

The criteria that Miller County had to meet in order to receive StormReady recognition included:

Having a local 24-hour warning point and an Emergency Operations Center

Having multiple ways of receiving National Weather Service warnings

Being able to monitor local weather/river conditions

Having multiple ways of alerting their citizens

Promoting public readiness through community seminars and presentations

Having a formal hazardous weather plan

Having trained spotters

Conducting periodic drills / exercises

Interacting effectively with the supporting National Weather Service Officein Tallahassee

Being recognized as Storm- Ready means that Miller County EMA has demonstrated that there is a redundant system in place to rapidly and accurately communicate warnings to residents of the county, and that the residents who receive the warnings are likely to take proper action to protect their lives and property.

Congratulations go to Miller County Emergency Management Director, Debbie Henry, the Miller County Commissioners' and City of Colquitt for all working together to obtain this status.