VHSO joins the Weather-Ready Nation: VHSO's Storm Ready Certification and Its Importance for Veteran Safety

It's a staggering fact that approximately 98 percent of all Presidentially declared disasters are weather-related, resulting in an average of 500 lives lost annually and nearly $15 billion in property damage. The National Weather Service's Storm Ready program is a crucial initiative that empowers communities with the tools and skills necessary to safeguard lives and property before, during, and after such events.

At VHSO, our Emergency Manager, Jeff Mccleland, recognizes the importance of this program. He recently expressed his appreciation for the decision support tools that come with Storm Ready certification, saying, "These types of decision support tools that are afforded by being in the Storm Ready program aid in our efforts of keeping our personnel and Veterans safe during severe weather through early watches and warnings."

Storm Ready takes a proactive, community-centered approach to weather preparedness, providing emergency managers with comprehensive guidelines to enhance their local hazardous weather operations. The program's objective is to help communities develop robust plans for handling various extreme weather scenarios, ranging from tornadoes to winter storms. This proactive strategy is particularly vital for organizations like VHSO, which serve a population that may have unique needs and challenges during such events.

VHSO's commitment to the program extends beyond its own operations. The certification covers all locations across three states and includes an outreach to the Vulnerable Veteran population, which totals approximately 4400 individuals in VHSO’s catchment area. VHSO understands that these heroes often require special attention, especially when it comes to ensuring their safety. By being a Storm Ready community, VHSO is better equipped to inform them of potential weather threats, assist with transportation to critical medical appointments like dialysis, and provide ice for insulin storage during power outages, among other support services.

But what does it take for a community to be officially recognized as Storm Ready? The criteria include:

1. Establishing a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center to monitor and respond to severe weather events.

2. Having multiple methods to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts, as well as a reliable system to alert the public.

3. Creating a local weather monitoring network to keep tabs on changing conditions.

4. Conducting community seminars to educate residents on the importance of preparedness.

5. Developing a comprehensive hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and participating in emergency drills.

VHSO's journey to obtaining Storm Ready status began in March 2024 with the submission of an application. After undergoing an interview with the National Weather Service of Tulsa and the Washington County Emergency Manager in August 2024, VHSO was awarded the certification in January 2025. The official presentation of our Storm Ready sign and framed certification, valid until 2030, took place in February 2025.

This significant milestone was not only a testament to VHSO’s  dedication to the safety of our employees and the Veterans we serve but also to our strategic planning efforts. Ensuring that our community is prepared for any weather emergency is a key component of our ongoing mission to provide the highest level of care and support.

By achieving Storm Ready certification, VHSO has demonstrated its commitment to proactive planning and emergency management. VHSO is now better prepared to handle severe weather events, fostering a culture of readiness and resilience among our staff and the Veteran population we are honored to serve. For VHSO, this recognition means we are one step closer to fulfilling our promise to protect and serve those who have sacrificed so much for our country. 

Stay safe and stay StormReady!