'Stormready
NWS awards Cameron County
BY JAMES MOATE ENDEAVOR NEWS

NWS's Bruce Budd (left) joins Kevin Johnson in declaring Cameron County 'StormReady.'

When a weather disaster threatens, Cameron County is "StormReady."

Bruce Budd from the National Weather Service (NWS) attended the Cameron County Commissioners meeting Monday to announce that the county had met qualifications. Budd commended Kevin Johnson, emergency management coordinator, who has led the efforts to prepare for severe weather alerts over a period of three years.

To become StormReady, Cameron County had to meet criteria, such as:

• establishing a 'round-the-clock warning point and Emergency Operations Center;

• at least four separate ways to receive NWS warnings;

• at least two ways to monitor hydrometeorological data;

• two or more ways to disseminate warnings;

• weather information receivers in public facilities;

• public education and training.

• a hazardous weather operations plan.

Automated siren controllers with manual override have been installed in Emporium, Driftwood and Sinnemahoning. Weather radios are in place at the courthouse, library, health centers, elementary and high schools, county fairgrounds and PennDOT office.