| HOUSTON – The City of Houston has been certified as a StormReady location by the National Weather Service. This certification recognizes the City’s efforts at mitigation and planning for the weather hazards familiar to our region.»Whether it is a hurricane, extreme heat, or even the extreme cold we saw in 2021, Houston stands ready to weather the storm, no matter the cause. I am proud of the work done by our planners, first responders, and emergency managers,» said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I also encourage our residents to stay prepared during storm season.”
The application process was led by the Office of Emergency Management, the City’s chief coordinating agency for disaster response. Houston is the largest city in the state with this certification and joins more than 20 cities, counties, hospital systems, and universities in the Houston area who have achieved StormReady status.
«It’s always nice for hard work to be recognized and rewarded. Our OEM team has worked countless hours to ensure our plans are a realistic approach to the dangers and hazards Houston faces,» said Chief George Buenik, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. «With hurricane season under way and a heat wave upon us, I can’t think of a more timely moment to receive this certification.»
The StormReady recognition has lowered insurance premiums in some communities. FEMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program, which includes the Community Rating System. Many communities have seen their CRS rating lowered after receiving their StormReady certification.
«The National Weather Service would like to congratulate the City of Houston on this StormReady recognition. We value the partnership with the City in working to keep residents informed when severe weather threatens and educated on what to do to prepare,» said Dan Reilly, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service. |
