Letter to Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Letter

Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 5128
Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Under Secretary:

I write today to urge that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) work closely with Westchester County, New York, as it begins the process of becoming an NOAA and NWS designated "StormReady" County.

As you know, "StormReady" is a nationwide preparedness program that encourages local communities to take a pro-active approach to improving and implementing disaster preparedness measures. At present, twenty-six New York counties possess a "StormReady" designation, whereby they have developed emergency operations centers and weather warning alert systems, created systems to monitor local weather conditions, promoted the importance of public readiness, and established emergency weather plans.

Now it's time for Westchester County to join the ranks of the "StormReady." Westchester understands the importance taking pro-active steps to mitigate the effects of severe weather, and in fact Westchester already meets some of the requirements required to achieve "StormReady" status. For example, Westchester County has already created an emergency response center and has adopted a 24-hour warning system.

Achieving this designation would mean improved storm preparedness techniques, including improved flood mitigation techniques. As you know, flood insurance can be very costly, but with improved flood mitigation techniques Westchester County will be on its way to being better able to protect its residents, mitigate flood-related damages, and lower the costs of flood insurance for those residing or conducting business in a special flood hazard area.

At this time, I urge NOAA and NWS to meet and coordinate closely with Westchester County officials as they work toward becoming a "StormReady" community. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and I are eager to work with you and your staff to fulfill each NOAA and NWS requirement and make Westchester County a "StormReady" community.

Thank you for your attention to this important request. Please contact me or my aide, Grant Kerr, at 202-224-6542 should you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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