Be ready for winter storms

Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle, City of Rochester Mayor William A. Johnson, Jr. and American Red Cross Executive Director Kyle Rodeman have issued a joint proclamation declaring November 5-11 to be Winter Weather Preparedness Week. Joining those officials in calling for winter preparedness were: the Monroe County Office of Emergency Preparedness, the National Weather Service, the New York State Department of Transportation, the Monroe County Department of Transportation, and the Monroe County Highway Superintendents Association.

A number of federal, state, local and volunteer agencies are working to inform and educate citizens on precautionary measures to ensure winter safety and lessen the hardships caused by the winter season. Severe winter weather can cause death and injury through heart attacks, strokes, traffic accidents, and exposure to frigid conditions. It is also responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage each year.

The week-long preparedness campaign will focus on educating the community about the National Weather Service and winter warning terminology: the importance of understanding road condition forecasts; and vehicle preparedness and vehicle operating safety tips.

As a "quality in government" initiative. Monroe County will be seeking designation as a 'Storm Ready' community from the National Weather Service. 'Storm Ready' is a voluntary program and is being offered as a means of providing guidance and incentive to officials interested in improving their respective hazardous weather operations.