News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Clay County training this weekend will teach storm spotters to assist the National Weather Service
Emergency Management Director Kyle Haney said the training will review the difference between watches and warnings and what determines those classifications for the National Weather Service.
Haney said storm spotters play an important role informing the National Weather Service.
“They may specifically say hey, we have a tornado that’s picking up on the radar but we don’t have any reports of it on the ground,” Haney said. “And the spotters can say hey, we can confirm that one is on the ground.”
Haney said another plus of weather spotters is they are able to travel throughout the county. He said emergency personnel are at their stations most of the time and unable to cover the broad areas that spotters cover.
Haney said Clay County is a storm ready community. He said as part of that certification they host weather awareness and storm spotter class every year.
“Tennessee has had a significant increase in severe weather over the past several years,” Haney said. “So we just want to put out as much information as we can so people can be weather aware. Especially during the night time because that’s when we typically see the severe weather.”
Haney said even someone with years of experience can pick up new information in the yearly training. He said he also appreciates the data on flooding and tornadoes with specific trends in the region.
Haney said he has a free weather radio at the Clay County Emergency Operation Center. He said stop by to pick it up.
Weather Spotter Training will be held on Saturday April 29th at 5 pm at the Clay County Community Center.
