For more than two decades, Fairfax County has been committed to preparing for severe weather and keeping residents informed when dangerous conditions threaten our community. 

In 2003, Fairfax County became the first county in Virginia recognized as StormReady by the National Weather Service (NWS). 

The StormReady program is designed to recognize communities that have established a high level of severe weather preparedness. It is built around a simple but important concept: effective warnings require more than forecasting the weather. Communities must have the systems, plans, partnerships and trained people needed to receive warnings, communicate them to the public and help residents know what to do. 

What Does It Take to Be StormReady? 

Becoming StormReady requires a community to meet established National Weather Service preparedness criteria. Among the requirements, a StormReady community must: 

• Maintain a 24-hour warning point and Emergency Operations Center to support emergency coordination.
• Have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts from the National Weather Service.
• Have multiple ways to alert the public when hazardous weather threatens.
• Monitor local weather conditions to help identify and respond to developing hazards.
• Promote public readiness through community seminars, presentations and other preparedness activities.
• Train severe weather spotters and conduct emergency exercises to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities. 

These requirements demonstrate that StormReady is more than a designation. It represents an ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving the systems that support public safety. 

Prepared for the Weather 

We Face Fairfax County experiences a wide range of weather hazards throughout the year, including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, hurricanes, damaging winds, winter storms and extreme heat. StormReady encourages communities to take a proactive approach to these hazards through planning, education and awareness. For Fairfax County, this work is part of an all-hazards approach to emergency management. 

Through Ready Fairfax, the county encourages all residents to make a plan, make a kit, stay informed and get involved. The county provides severe weather information through Fairfax Alerts and the newly established Storm Center that serves as a one stop shop for all weather related resources.