GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE By Jason Beaman, Warning Coordination Meteorologist - NWS Mobile Growing up in southem Baldwin County, I became fascinated with hurricanes at a young age. How do they form? How do people know where it is going? These are questions that f illed my head. I wanted to know more about weather, but even more importantly, I wanted to help people. For the past 16 years, I have been proud to call myself a National Weather Service employee. I get to work my dream job and even more importantly, help people stay safe. I share that with you because that is not just my story, but it’s a similar story shared by all of the dedicated men and women who work for you at the National Weather Service’s in Mobile. While we work here because we are fascinated by weather, we are even more driven to serve and protect. NWS Mobile works year-round with local partners, such as emergency management, to help prepare communities for the next signif icant storm. The National Weather Service mission statement is clear: “The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, water and dimate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.” Your local NWS off ice is located at the Mobile Regional Airport. NWS Mobile serves 20 counties across southeast Mississippi, southwest and south central Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Even on Christmas morning, there are at least two meteorologists working. If it’s like the Christmas of 2012 when tornadoes impacted our region, that number is quadrupled! During quiet weather, we work closely with our partners through meetings and detailed exercises. When signif icant weather approaches, we routinely brief state, county and city leaders on what to expect so they can make the best decisions for their residents. After the storm, we conduct storm surveys to accurately assess storm damage and provide weather updates to emergency responders as they respond to the storm’s aftermath. At the same time, we provide the public with up-to-date information prior to, during and after a storm that is available on our website (weather.gov/mob) and on Facebook and Twitter (@NWSMobile). You are also welcome to reach us at (251) 633-6443. Have you ever heard a tornado warning and 30 • Stay Alert Baldwin 2022
wondered where that came f rom? It came directly f rom your local National Weather Service off ice! We encourage everybody to have more than one way of receiving critical weather alerts. There are several methods of obtaining warnings: weather radios, cell phones, as well as local TV and radio. We also encourage everybody to ensure they have a weather safety plan. For Baldwin County residents, this means not just knowing what to do in the event of a tornado or flood, but having a plan developed ahead of time for when the next hurricane approaches. Your local National Weather Service and Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency can provide helpful information to help develop your plan! Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please know we are dedicated to serving you!
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