Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Madison County wins National Weather Service 'Storm Ready' certification
Summary
Madison County received Storm Ready certification from the National Weather Service, recognizing local emergency management, alerting systems and community preparedness; county officials said the designation will help the county coordinate warnings and community outreach during severe weather.
Madison County received a Storm Ready certification from the National Weather Service during the fiscal court meeting on Jan. 14, 2025, a county official said, marking a formal recognition of the county’s emergency planning, community outreach and weather-alerting capabilities.
The National Weather Service representative, identified in the meeting as Brian, described the certification as a formal process that evaluates emergency plans, community engagement and alerting systems. "Part of Storm Ready is an emergency planning piece... community engagement as part of the piece too," Brian said, noting the county’s work with emergency management staff and use of community alerting systems such as Rave.
Judge-executive Reagan Taylor and county emergency management staff credited local interagency coordination for the certification. Emergency management staff said they participate in conference calls with the weather service when storms are forecast and push updates through social media and the county’s Rave alerts. Brian told the fiscal court the certification is valid for four years and that Madison County is one of about 80 of Kentucky’s counties to achieve it.
Why it matters: County officials said Storm Ready shows Madison County has documented plans and public-alerting processes that can reduce harm when severe weather approaches. County staff said the designation will help justify funding for public alerting and strengthen regional coordination with the weather service.
County emergency management staff said the certification required paperwork demonstrating plans and procedures, participation in weather-service calls and local public outreach programs. Officials said they will receive a certificate and a roadway sign notifying residents and visitors of the Storm Ready status.
Looking ahead, emergency management staff said they will continue to participate in weather-service conference calls and to update the community on potential storms. County officials asked the court to help advocate with the state and federal partners for funding for public-alerting tools where needed.
Source excerpts: Opening remarks and presentation from Madison County emergency management and National Weather Service representatives during the Jan. 14 meeting.
