Bee Editorial
Communities should follow suit with StormReady
Currently there are only four communities in New York State to receive accreditation as a StormReady community, as acknowledged by the National Weather Service, including Cheektowaga now known to be prepared to handle all weather scenarios.

After two tornadoes, a "surprise" October storm and countless other snowstorms, including the infamous "Blizzard of '77," Cheektowaga town leaders have taken measures to ensure the safety of residents would not be compromised in disaster situations.

The NWS instituted the StormReady program in 1999 to help communities take a proactive approach in hazardous weather conditions by improving communication and safety skills between town officials and residents.

A community must submit to the following criteria to be recognized as StormReady:

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

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

• Create a system that monitors local weather conditions.

• 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.

We believe the program is the best way for communities to be prepared for weather disasters. Cheektowaga became the first community in Western New York to become StormReady. The Town of Amherst shares a border with Cheektowaga, so chances are, whatever comes their way is likely coming your way as well.

We believe that there is no harm in being extra-prepared. It is not enough for one community to have the knowledge necessary to combat severe weather. It must be a joint effort by residents and officials in all area municipalities.

Living outside the second-largest city in the state brings a large amount of responsibility with it. The October storm should have taught all communities that we must be on guard for severe weather at all times.

We know Amherst has been operating with a Community Emergency Response Team, C.E.R.T., for the past few years and is in the know when it comes to being prepared. But imagine what Amherst and the rest of Western New York could learn if everyone got on the ball.

The weather is constantly changing, and we must constantly adapt and be ready for the next change. For information about Storm- Ready, visit www.stormready.noaa.gov.