Storm headed our way? Rest assured that dozens of area residents will be on the lookout for it.

Thursday, March 23, 2000

Storm headed our way? Rest assured that dozens of area residents will be on the lookout for it.

More than 80 Mower County residents spent the evening on Tuesday attending a storm spotters class taught by the National Weather Service. Meteoroligists from the LaCrosse, Wis., weather service office brought along their multimedia presentation to help spotters understand cloud formation and how it relates to the development of storms. In addition, spotters learned what type of information proves valuable to the weather service and emergency managers.

The annual class has proven popular. Many volunteers and public servants attend the class. Alongside paid firefighters with the Austin Fire Department were volunteers from the Brownsdale Fire Department. There were police reserves and interested citizens.

There also were many amateur radio operators in attendance. The hams, including many who are members of the Austin Amateur Radio Club, prove to be a valuable link in storm spotting. Hams utilize their radio systems to relay appropriate severe weather information to the weather service and emergency services personnel. They have direct links to the weather service and the Law Enforcement Center.

Nobody receives storm spotter pay. True, there’s excitement in the activity for many and that’s why the weather service cautions spotters to play it safe and heed warnings when they are spotting. But the fact remains that people in your neighborhood are watching the skies so we’re all safe and can take appropriate action in the face of threatening storms.

Congratulations to those who attended this year’s storm spotting class. Our county is a safer place knowing many more residents know the warning signs of a bad storm.