HOLLYWOOD — The Seminole Tribe of Florida, recently certified by the National Weather Service (NWS) as a “StormReady” community, is one of only 15 Tribes nationwide to have earned the designation. The certification was presented to Tribal Council Jan. 13 at a Council briefing in Hollywood.

An NWS program, StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen their safety programs and helps prepare the community for severe weather. StormReady communities have learned communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property before and during inclement weather.

The effort, led by the Emergency Management Department, required compliance with several NWS guidelines, including having 24/7 dispatch centers and an established Emergency Operations Center, educating Tribal members and children about hazardous weather, hosting “SkyWarn” classes with NWS for employees and community members, and creating a formal Hazardous Weather Plan.

Members of the Tribe and the Emergency Management Department toured the NWS and National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The Tribe will also monitor weather, wind and rainfall through the “StreamerRT” software program and receive NWS weather warnings through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios.

Signs touting the certification will be placed on each reservation.