By Scott Harvey
Commerce – The National Weather Service has recognized the City of Commerce as a "StormReady" community.
To be recognized, a community must establish a number of safety procedures including a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center, plus promotion of public readiness through community seminars.
Communities are also to have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings and to alert the public; create a system that monitors local weather conditions; plus, develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.
There are 83 "StormReady" destinations in the State of Texas, according to the National Weather Service. Of the 54 communities, only Commerce, Sulphur Springs, Longview, Tyler and Texarkana represent the Northeast Texas region.
The Commerce City Council is scheduled to hear a presentation regarding the honor during its regular meeting tonight at 6 p.m.