The National Weather Service designates communities as StormReady when
that community has demonstrated that they have effectively prepared their
organizations with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and
property before, during, and after a natural hazard event. StormReady helps communities
respond to hazardous weather by establishing best practices to prepare for and
respond to hazardous weather events.
On December 7, 2016 the National Weather Service inspected the Scott
County Emergency Management Division and 911 Communications Center. The audit
found that Scott County exceeds the guidelines necessary to be designated as a
Storm Ready community. Over 98 percent of all presidentially declared disasters
are weather related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $15
billion in damages. By successfully meeting the standards to become a
StormReady community, Scott County becomes the 13th county in Minnesota and the
3rd in the metro area to show they have taken all necessary advance actions to
prepare for and respond to a severe weather event.