National Weather Service declares Henry County "StormReady"; county to receive certificate and sign

The National Weather Service (NWS) Louisville office formally recognized Henry County as “StormReady” during the fiscal-court meeting, citing the county’s emergency‑management planning and communications work.

Mike Kochasek, a representative of the National Weather Service in Louisville, announced the designation and said the county had met the program’s preparedness standards. Kochasek told the court, “You are storm ready,” and noted the recognition places Henry County among about 85 counties in the Commonwealth that have completed the program.

Kochasek said the designation reflects several elements: multiple methods to receive NWS warnings, local plans to push warnings to staff and residents, coordination with the NWS, and community outreach to explain the difference between watches and warnings. He described the certification as valid for four years and noted the county is eligible for 1 free ‘‘We are StormReady’’ sign through the NWS vendor; additional signs are available at roughly $50 each, or counties may reproduce signs locally.

County leaders thanked emergency-management staff (noted in the meeting as Ian and Amy) for their work to meet the program’s standards. The court noted recent severe-weather experience — including April 2024 tornadoes referenced in the meeting — when officials said improved planning and coordination had become a higher priority. Kochasek encouraged counties to maintain the processes; he said renewal is straightforward once the practices are in place.

The NWS offered a certificate of recognition and, at the court’s request, suggested a group photo; county staff indicated they will consider ordering replacement or additional signs for prominent entryways. The certification does not change operational authority for emergency actions but signals that the county has documented plans and notification pathways to distribute severe-weather information more reliably.