The Villages has been recognized as a StormReady community – a designation that eventually could save residents money.
The recognition comes from the West Central Florida Storm Ready Advisory Board, which points out that Florida’s Friendliest Hometown became the 11th Sunshine State city to earn a StormReady certificate in 2012. And it now will be recognized that way until April 18, 2021.
“Your effort, and those of your team, will better prepare The Villages to save lives from the onslaught of hazardous weather through better planning, education and awareness,” a letter to Fire Chief Edmund Cain reads. “No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives.”
StormReady is a community preparedness program that encourages government entities and commercial gathering sites from throughout the country to prepare for severe storms. The program, sponsored by the United States National Weather Service, issues recognition to communities and sites that demonstrate severe weather readiness. The voluntary program provides communities with advice from a partnership with the local National Weather Service Office, state and local emergency managers and the media.
The letter also states that the designation is worth 25 points in the Community Rating System, which possibly could reduce flood insurance rates for the community.
