By GABE JORDAN

gabe.jordan@gaflnews.com

CORDELE — A representative from the National Weather Service officially recognized Crisp County as a “StormReady” community at the regular meeting of the county commission Tuesday.

Crisp County is the 65th county in the state to earn the recognition, which means the county is now a part of a nationwide community preparedness program that helps local governments develop plans to handle severe weather and flooding threats.

Barry Gooden, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Peachtree City office, praised the county commissioners and Sheriff Donnie Haralson for being “StormReady,” but cautioned that Crisp County, like any other area in the state, is not storm proof.

“Crisp County has done a lot to be prepared for any number of potential weather events, including establishing a 24-hour emergency operations center,” Gooden said. “The county and the sheriff’s office should be proud of the work they’ve done to be prepared in case disaster strikes.”

In addition to the establishment of a 24-hour emergency operations center, the county had to fulfill a number of other requirements to get the “StormReady” designation. The county must: Have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warning and to alert the public; create a system that monitors local weather conditions; promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

“The program is designed to help Crisp County and other StormReady communities improve communication and safety skills needed to save lives — before, during and after a severe weather event,” Gooden said.