Monmouth County has officially been designated Storm Ready County by the National Weather Service. By becoming a StormReady county it includes all municipalities. Monmouth County is only 1 of 3 counties in New Jersey. For Monmouth County towns that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, the StormReady designation earns ISO community rating system (CRS) points.
Becoming a National Weather Service (NWS) StormReady county offers several key benefits:
- Enhanced Public Safety: StormReady designation demonstrates that the county has established reliable weather monitoring, alert, and emergency communication systems. This helps reduce risks to residents by ensuring prompt alerts and more effective responses to severe weather events.
- Community Preparedness: The program helps build a culture of preparedness by requiring educational outreach and preparedness activities. This often includes public workshops, school programs, and community events to educate residents on severe weather safety.
- Strengthened Emergency Management: By meeting StormReady criteria, the county demonstrates that it has solid emergency management strategies and an organized response plan for hazardous weather. This can include the formation of specialized weather response teams and coordination with local CERT teams to support storm preparedness and response efforts.
- Improved Coordination: StormReady counties work closely with the NWS, ensuring direct access to timely weather information and resources. This partnership allows for better situational awareness, faster decision-making, and coordinated responses with local agencies.
- Potential for Lower Insurance Premiums: Some insurance providers recognize StormReady status as a marker of proactive disaster preparedness, potentially leading to lower premiums or improved community resilience ratings.
- Enhanced Reputation and Community Trust: Being designated as StormReady showcases the county’s commitment to protecting residents, building community trust and fostering a sense of security among citizens and businesses.
- These benefits ultimately help communities better withstand and recover from extreme weather, reducing potential damages and improving resilience.
