I Love Tornado Coverage

On days like today when we all know there is a chance of severe weather. I look forward to watching tornado coverage on local TV. The Birmingham TV market stations all will go on the air if a tornado warning is issued for any county in the TV market. And it will stay on the air until the tornado warning expires or the storm moves into Georgia. The power of nature is just awesome and looking at the storms on radar looks very cool. Until there is conformation of a tornado on the ground doing damage. The Birmingham TV market is unique as it was one of the first markets in the country to do long-form tornado coverage. And since then the coverage has saved countless lives.

Long-form tornado coverage is very important. On severe weather days people need to know where the dangerous storms are. And they need to know when to take cover when a severe storm is coming. Also the TV stations partner with local radio stations to simulcast the long-form tornado coverage. There is one downside to the long-form tornado coverage. If the coverage interrupts people’s favorite TV programs. Some people will complain to the TV stations and the meteorologists because they missed their shows over weather coverage. I have one thing to say to those complainers out there; Buh humbug! Just get over it. People’s lives are being saved with the information and you can record the shows late at night when they are replayed. Some people really need to get a life! The hope for all of this coverage is that no damage happens. But I am glad to get coverage from TV if a life-threatening storm is heading my way.

During storm coverage not only I watch the TV. But I keep an eye on Facebook updates and the ABC 33/40 Skywatcher Chat.

James Spann of ABC 33/40 doing his best during long-form tornado coverage. James Spann is a very powerful figure here in central Alabama. Many people trust his weather information in times of bad weather.