The White County Office of Public Safety has been recognized for its commitment to severe weather preparedness, earning two national accreditations. The National Weather Service recertified the county as a StormReady® Community, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designated it a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador.
“These recognitions highlight White County’s proactive measures in ensuring the safety of its residents during weather emergencies,” says White County Public Information Officer Bryce Barrett.
The StormReady® program, established by the National Weather Service, assists communities in enhancing their hazardous weather response through advanced planning, communication systems, and public education. White County has maintained this status since 2007.
“It is clearly the result of your vision, leadership, hard work, and commitment to the citizens of White County! They should take great pride and comfort in maintaining this status, and, to a great degree, they have you to thank for it,” stated the Georgia StormReady® Advisory Board in their letter of congratulations to the county. The recognition is valid through 2029.
As a WRN Ambassador, White County will collaborate with NOAA to share official weather safety messaging, encourage weather resilience practices, and reach out to vulnerable populations to enhance community preparedness.
According to Barrett, these achievements underscore White County’s dedication to emergency preparedness, which is particularly crucial given that nearly 98% of Presidential disaster declarations are weather-related.
