A National Weather Service representative presented a StormReady certificate to Highland Village City Council and the fire chief at a July 23 meeting, making Highland Village one of 93 Texas cities to receive such recognition.

This recognition is only given to communities with an established 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center as well as more than one method of receiving and distributing severe weather warnings, according to the weather service. Additionally, recognized communities must promote public readiness, have systems that monitor local weather conditions and have plans in place for what to do during hazardous weather incidents.

“We’re very honored to be here tonight to recognize all of you and, more importantly, the city of Highland Village for being really in kind of an elite class of communities,” said Tom Bradshaw, meteorologist-in-charge at the weather service's Fort Worth location, at the meeting.

Bradshaw said the city received the recognition in part due to the leadership of fire Chief Michael Thomson, who helped the city develop “sophisticated” plans and processes that help the city and its residents to be prepared for major weather events.

“It’s a very concentrated and a very step-by-step process, and it’s one that is pretty rigorous,” Bradshaw said. “A lot of communities don’t want to do it or don’t have the means to do it. So Highland Village has a lot to be proud of because you have taken the effort to become StormReady certified. And I think it’s something the residents can really be proud of as well as the council.”