The National Weather Service recognized the City of Homestead, as a StormReady community. The StormReady program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. The City of Homestead has made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes.

Pablo Santos, meteorologist-in-charge of the Miami forecast office, presented Homestead Emergency Management Coordinator Ed Bowe with a certificate and special StormReady signs during the City of Homestead August City Council meeting. “Thanks to the proactive approach by city officials, Homestead will be better prepared to respond when severe weather threatens,” said Santos.

“We are pleased to have been designated as a StormReady Community by the National Weather Service,” said Bowe. “Homestead is very much aware of the importance of saving lives and property through communication, mitigation and community preparedness before, during and after a severe weather event.”

The nationwide community preparedness program, founded in 1999, is a grassroots approach to preparing for natural hazards. Today, more than 1,900 U.S. communities are better prepared for severe weather through the StormReady program. To be recognized as StormReady, a community must maintain a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive National Weather Service warnings and to alert the public; be able to monitor local weather and flood conditions; conduct community preparedness programs; and ensure hazardous weather and flooding are addressed in formal emergency management plans, which include training SKYWARN® weather spotters and holding emergency exercises. The StormReady recognition is valid for three years and can be renewed.