Are You FloodReady?

Are You FloodReady?

Saving lives through Awareness...Education and Better Planning. FloodReady is a program designed by the National Weather Service, in Calera, to help better prepare communities for flash floods and long term river flooding. After the severe flooding in May of 2003, the National Weather Service recognized the need to provide additional assistance to area cities and counties who have special flooding interests. Interested parties need only to apply in order to get started in the program. In order for an applicant to achieve FloodReady recognition, it must satisfy all the criteria established by the FloodReady committee members. The committee performs a valuable role in providing assistance and feedback to the applicants and consists of the following organizations:

National Weather Service, Calera
Alabama Power
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S.G.S.
Alabama Dept of Transportation
Alabama State EMA
National Weather Service Southeast River Forecast Center

What Are Some of the Criteria?

Identify flood prone areas
Develop a formal flood plan, which includes holding emergency exercises
Establish a 24 hour warning point and emergency operations center
Have multiple ways to receive flood imformation and alert the public
Identify and/or establish primary and backup means of communication
Increase public awareness, education and readiness through annual community seminars
Develop local spotter networks for rainfall, river and stream levels and other pertinent hydrological data
Develop procedures to relay timely information on flooding in your community to the National Weather Service
Have at least one community meeting in which the NWS and other partners participate

Want More Information?

You can call the National Weather Service office in Calera at 205-664-3010. Dial extension 228 and speak to Michael Garrison, the Service Hydrologist. You may also send an email to Michael.Garrison@noaa.gov.

FloodReady Recognized Locations

Tuscaloosa County
Dallas County
Wadley - Town