The National Weather Service in Birmingham has designated Cherokee County as a Storm Ready County.

Jason Wright with NWS presented the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency and the Cherokee County Commission with Storm Ready signs, a plaque and other materials during a recent meeting of the Cherokee County Commission.

Beverly Daniel, director, Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency, said the county was first named as a Storm Ready county in 2001 and the status is renewed every three years if the county continues to meet qualifications. Cherokee County was renewed in 2004 and again in 2007.



“Commissioners, it is a great day to be here in Cherokee County,” said Wright. “I am here to let you know that your county is being recognized again as a storm-ready county. This is not an easy process to go through. It is a thorough application process. And what does storm ready mean? It means that your county has worked very hard to continue with its emergency preparedness plans, especially dealing with weather, and you should be very proud of Beverly Daniel for the job she does.”

“It is my honor and pleasure this morning to award Beverly and the county commission two brand new, storm Ready county signs, a plaque and recognition letter,” said Wright.

“We want to thank you Mr. Wright for coming and being with us today and we appreciate this presentation,” said Cherokee County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge Melvyn Salter. “We appreciate so very much what Beverly and Joan Richardson do for us. They have spent a whole lot of extra hours that nobody knows anything about keeping an eye on things. EMA covers a whole lot of different territory besides the weather, but we appreciate them so very much.”

During the work session prior to the regular commission meeting, Cherokee County Engineer Corey Chambers informed the commission that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) might have additional funds available for updating county flood maps and urged the commission to pursue this funding option.

Cherokee County Solid Waste Supervisor Wayne Cochran reported that some areas of the county have some minor erosion problems, which need to be addressed.

Commissioner Carlton “Bubba” Teague reported that the flashing lights are now up at Gaylesville School. Teague said he and Commissioner Elbert St. Clair along with Alabama Department of Transportation officials have been working for months to complete this project.

According to Teague, the speed limit has been reduced from 55 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour in the school zone from 7:15 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. each school day.

“I think this is going to help make that area a lot safer for everyone, especially the kids,” said Teague. “We are just glad to finally see this project completed.

"We just wanted to make the public aware of the speed limit change when they are in that area at that time. It will probably be monitored.”

The commission also presented Ralph Meade with a copy of a resolution honoring Meade for his service to the state and county over the years.

In other business, the commission:

-Adopted 2008 grant agreement for services for the elderly through Northeast Alabama Planning.

-Adopted the annual inspection for the Fire Sprinkler System with Olympia Sprinkler Installation, Inc., in the amount of $1,350. This is an annual inspection.

County offices will be closed Jan. 1, 2008 in observance of New Years Holiday.

The next regular meeting of the Cherokee County Commission is Monday, Jan. 14, beginning at 10 a.m