The National Weather Service (NWS) and the Georgia StormReady Advisory Board have recognized Forsyth County as a StormReady® Community, a designation reflecting the county’s high level of severe weather preparedness. Forsyth County was first recognized as StormReady® in 2007.

To be certified as StormReady®, a community must:

-           Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center

-           Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public

-           Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally

-           Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars

-      Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises

StormReady® uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle all types of extreme weather—from tornadoes to winter storms. The program encourages communities to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations by providing emergency managers with clear-cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations.

“It is an honor to receive recognition as a StormReady® community,” said Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Chris Grimes. “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work that goes into preparing our county for severe weather situations.”

Since the county’s original certification as a StormReady® Community, Forsyth County has taken additional measures to prepare the community for severe weather. The county now has a total of 17 outdoor severe weather sirens. The sirens are located throughout the county to notify residents that severe weather is in the area.  

Forsyth County EMA also offers weather alert notifications allowing residents the option to receive time-sensitive alerts for three severe weather situations (severe thunderstorm warnings, flash flood warnings and tornado warnings) as well as for emergency situations such as public safety issues or important water notifications from the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department.

During the Board of Commissioners meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, Forsyth County’s EMA was recognized for the achievement. The current StormReady® recognition is valid through April 22, 202

(Information provided by Board of Commissioners)