Columbia County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is proud to announce their continued recognition with the National Weather Service (NWS) as a StormReady county. On Tuesday, April 30, 2019, Columbia County was notified by the NWS Columbia, South Carolina that the Georgia StormReady Board approved the Columbia County EMA application. Columbia County is now recognized as StormReady through April 28, 2022.

Columbia County EMA submitted an application that included information based off specific guidelines for community preparedness standards through advanced planning, education, and awareness. In addition to presenting the application, EMA demonstrated the ability to receive instant weather alerts via multiple means and to notify citizens of emergencies via various avenues to include CodeRED. Providing a myriad of community preparedness activities such as storm spotter training and countywide tornado drills in addition to outlining predetermined shelters directly contributed to the StormReady recertification.

John Quagliariello with the NWS Columbia, South Carolina states, “The County is well prepared for hazardous weather and deeply engaged with the community. The Georgia StormReady Board was very impressed with the application.”