View From The Hill
(3/26/09)

Storm Toppers

Severe Storms Awareness Month may be winding down…but the threat of severe weather still exists.

In this week’s View from the Hill, Amy Bingham tells us how Warren County Emergency Management is beefing up it’s resources with the help of WKU.

“The one thing about meteorology students is most of us really enjoy going out in the field and spotting for storms, watching radar and getting information out to help other people.”

More than 15 WKU meteorology students and staff members have teamed up to form StormToppers…..a volunteer group that works with Warren County Emergency Management to help keep the community safe.

 “They are able to deploy spotters in the field and give us a bird’s eye view of what’s happening in specific locations and allows us to make faster decisions about evacuations and warning to citizens in the city and county.”

StormToppers even has a “Central Command” set up in the Meterology Lab with advanced radar and radios to communicate with E.M.

 “They’re the ones that are telling spotters where to go and warning them and relaying reports back to the National Weather Service.”

StormTopper members  are also being trained on damage assessment and the important role it plays in the process.

 “Sometimes people forget that that’s more important than being out in the field and spotting for storms. “

With this type of training , Ronnie Pearson says StormToppers will be a huge asset to us all when the dark clouds loom.

 “To be able to bring these individuals that have an expertise in this particular field, to get an opportunity to go into the community….so it’s invaluable.”

The StormToppers were activated during a high wind event in February.  They measured wind gusts of 58 miles per hour.