Williamson Medical Center, Franklin, TN, Richard Westgate, ER Director; Julie Miller, COO, WMC; Mayor Rogers Anderson; Kate Brock, County EMA Plans and Programs Officer: Mac Purdy, EM Director; Allen Lovett, EMS Director; Jason Wright, NWS Nashville Senior Meteorologist; Lori Orme R.N., WMC Chief Nursing Officer; Mike Grupe, WMC Security Director; Nanette Todd, WMC Risk Manager; Paula List, R.N., WMC Staffing Coordinator

Being part of a Weather-Ready Nation is about building community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather and water events. Americans live in the most severe weather-prone country on Earth. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms:

• 100,000 thunderstorms
• 10,000 severe thunderstorms
• 5,000 floods or flash floods
• 1,000 tornadoes
• 2 landfalling deadly hurricanes

And this dangerous weather is in addition to winter storms, intense summer heat, high winds, wild fires and other deadly weather impacts.

You can make sure your community is StormReady®. Some 98% of all presidentially declared disasters are weather related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $15 billion in damage.

StormReady helps arm America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property--before, during and after the event. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs.

StormReady communities, counties, universities, military bases, indian nations, commerical enterprises and other groups are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness.

No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives. StormReady News headlines detail how it really makes a difference.

Applying is easy. Your local NWS office Warning Coordination Metoeorologist will walk you through the easy application process.

Sites that can't meet the StormReady criteria can show their support for weather safety by joining the StormReady Supporter program.

Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, August 2015, from left: Chief Jeff VenHuizen, Rock Island Police Dept.; Chief Tom Phillis, Augustana Police and Public Safety; President Steve Bahls, Augustana College; Evelyn Campbell, Dean and Vice President of Student Life; Steve Kuhl, Meteorologist-In-Charge, NWS Quad Cities; Deputy Chief Mark Beckwith, Augustana Police and Public Safety; Director James K. Joseph, Illinois EMA; Chief Jim Fobert, Rock Island Fire Dept.