First Posted: 3/4/2015
LIMA — National Weather Service meteorologist Evan Bentley said individuals taking an interest in becoming a trained weather spotter can make amazing differences in your own community.
Bentley helped deliver a presentation to about 70 interested residents from Lima and the surrounding area who participated in a weather spotter training course at the UNOH Event Center on Wednesday. The trainees spent about two and a half hours learning different things about spotting potential troubling weather, but Bentley said the biggest difference they make is simply being another set of eyes and ears for meteorologists.
“We stress seven simple things to remember,” Bentley said. “Time, event, location, awareness, communications, escape route and safety.”
Bentley said the technology age has helped with issuing proper warnings immensely over time. Spotters can talk with meteorologists and even send them pictures and emails that help them make proper decisions.
“They [weather spotters] are the single most important tool for us in a major weather event,” Bentley said. “They can tell us what is going on and tell us with as much detail as possible. In a major weather event, a meteorologist can be going many different ways. We have to know when to issue warnings, when to cancel warnings and when to keep them going. Having someone who is familiar of what to look for can make the difference is saving lives.”
Bentley said the goal is usually to have 60 to 65 spotters in a given region, so he was happy with the estimated turnout of about 70 people.
“The more the better,” he said. “You can never have too many.”
By going through the training, spotters are kept on record with the NWS for five years. He said the NWS suggests that they get fresh training every two years.
Director Tom Berger of the Allen County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said the training is traditionally brought to the Lima area annually.
“Knowledge is power,” Berger said. “This class is about educated preparedness. When people are informed we can make better decisions.”
The course is offered free to those interested.
