Holmes County is officially ready to face the storm
Cleveland National Weather Service representatives Raelene Campbell, meteorologist, left, and Freddie Zeigler, warning coordination meteorologist, chat with Holmes EMA team members Jordan Tschiegg and Jason Troyer following the NWS officially welcoming Holmes County into Ohio’s stable of NWS Storm Ready members.
Recently, it was announced Holmes County was Storm Ready in its partnership with the Cleveland National Weather Service.
Now there are papers and a sign making it official.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, Holmes County EMA Director Jason Troyer and Assistant Director Jordan Tschiegg met with the Holmes County commissioners and special guests Freddie Zeigler, warning coordination meteorologist, and Raelene Campbell, meteorologist of the National Weather Service, to celebrate the official membership into the Ohio’s Storm Ready family.
The NWS duo brought with them an official sign signifying Holmes County’s acceptance into the Storm Ready membership, which now numbers 60 of the state’s 88 counties.
“This is pretty impressive and something we’ve been working toward for quite some time,” Tschiegg said. “A lot of work went into this project, and we’re excited to finally be a part. We had to make sure we had everything in place, and the process getting there was pretty extensive.”
Campbell worked closely with the Holmes EMA team to make this event possible, and she congratulated the county for its effort.
“Ultimately, this is to help Americans guard against the ravages of severe weather,” Campbell said. “The program itself is aimed at preparing cities, towns, communities and universities across the nation with communication and safety tools necessary to save lives and property and to prepare communities with an action plan that responds to the threat of all types of severe weather, from tornadoes, to hail, to flooding, et cetera.”
Campbell said the NWS created the voluntary program in 1988 to provide clear-cut advice to city leaders, emergency managers and the media that would improve their hazardous weather operations.
In order to capture the designation, Holmes County EMA had to meet an intense criterion. As a Storm Ready county, Holmes County has established a 24-hour warning system and emergency operation center, with more than one method of receiving and disseminating weather forecasts and sharing it with the public.
Campbell said Holmes EMA has done well in creating public readiness through seminars and sharing vital hazardous weather plans.
An advisory board reviewed the proposal to join Storm Ready by Holmes County EMA and paid several visits to the county to ensure it was capable of meeting all the requirements.
Holmes County EMA recently received its letter of acceptance, which led to the official visit from the NWS duo, who brought an official Storm Ready sign.
“Storm Ready communities must stay freshly prepared because the designation is only valid for four years and must be renewed,” Campbell said.
Troyer said the Holmes EMA has developed a genuine relationship with NWS and has valued that relationship in helping Holmes County better prepare for harmful weather events, noting the tornado that soared over Harvest Ridge during the 2023 Holmes County Fair was one example of how the county was able to leap into action to help keep fair-goers safe.
Having worked hand in hand with the Cleveland NWS, Troyer said the collaboration has been an easy and enjoyable one.
“We cherish your partnership,” Zeigler said. “Knowing what is actually happening on the ground is incredibly important to us.”
“We appreciate the recognition,” Commissioner Dave Hall said. “We get updates immediately. In a rural area like this, it is used.”
Tschiegg said being part of the Storm Ready group gives Holmes County boots on the ground with the storm spotters who will now help the EMA report directly to the NWS team in providing information that could help citizens become better prepared for bad weather systems.
“I know this type of information really helps the National Weather Service,” Tschiegg said.
He said there are biannual training sessions for anyone who would like to become a storm spotter as part of the system, and the EMA will notify the public when the next opportunity arises.