Although rainy weather was in the area, Channel 16 WAPT’s Morning Meteorologist Ken Johnson and Weekend Meteorologist Jennifer Cook spoke to about 30 Attala County residents Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Attala County Coliseum.
As part of the Weather Where You Live campaign, the pair presented information on weather safety and tornado facts.
Johnson, who has been with WAPT for nine years, began the program with speaking about his love for the weather.
Johnson said he always admired WAPT Meteorologist David Hartman growing up and that he found his calling was weather.
“I lived by what David Hartman said,” Johnson said. “I wanted to work with him one day.”
Johnson does now work with Hartman. Hartman was supposed to be in Kosciusko for the program but remained in Jackson due to storms in the state.
Cook, a recent college graduate and former resident of Indiana, said she enjoyed working in Mississippi and making a difference through her work.
She said she enjoys the warmer weather in the state.
“We’ve had a lot of active weather here lately,” Johnson said. “It all started back in early January.”
The first video shown talked about La Nina – which is when the water is cooler than average or the opposite of El Nino.
The La Nina is caused of the tornadic weather in early January due to its unseasonably hot and dry weather.
This weather pattern is expected to last into this spring.
A tornado video was shown next touching on the Goodman tornadoes from Jan. 10.
“Tornadoes are a fact of life in Mississippi,” Johnson said.
Mississippi’s tornado season is from late February to November.
The video discussed with the advancement of radar that less lives are lost due to tornadoes.
Hartman via the video said more people in Mississippi die from a tornado than any other state in the U.S.
This problem occurs because overwhelmingly tornadoes hit the state at night and can not be seen.
During 1992, a tornado hit Brandon and there were no warnings and no signs. There were people injured.
With the advancement in WAPT’s doppler radar years later, Hartman said when Brandon was hit again in 2003, there were no injuries and plenty of alerts so that the public was able to know in time.
Hartman stressed when a tornado is coming to be prepared, have a plan and know what to do.
Some tips on tornado safety were: keep as many walls between you and the tornado as possible, get under sturdy furniture and don’t try and outrun a tornado.
If you are in a mobile home, Johnson said to get in a ditch or if you have time, go to another location.
Cook discussed an acronym they are using on air when covering tornadic weather.
D.U.C.K. stands for downstairs, under covers or blankets, cover your head and keep away from windows.
A question and answer session ended the program. Portions of the program will be featured in a WAPT special airing on March 4.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Leslie N. Dees
Experts discuss weather, safety
- Local News
-
-
Renovation begins
-
Veterans to be remembered at ‘Aisle’
Memorial Day will be highlighted Monday with the observance of the Aisle of Honor at Parkway Cemetery where 331 flags will be flown to honor deceased Veterans of Attala County.
-
Nail, Halderman qualify for race
Two have qualified with the Attala County Circuit Clerk Wanda Fancher for the office of Attala County Sheriff in the special election set this week for Nov. 6 by the board of supervisors.
-
Special election date set
Following the Attala Election Commission’s request to set the date for a special election, the Attala Board of Supervisors in its regular meeting on Monday morning set the date for Nov. 6.
-
Relay for Life brings in $50,000 despite rainy weather Friday
Closing ceremonies were held shortly after 5 o’clock Saturday morning at Hugh Ellard Park ending this year’s 12-hour Relay for Life , but not ending the drive for the American Cancer Society.
-
Classes of 2012 graduate Friday
Seniors at Kosciusko, Ethel, and McAdams High Schools will receive diplomas in final exercises Friday night beginning with Ethel at 6 o’clock, Kosciusko at 7, and McAdams at 8.
-
East wing of hospital opens to the public
The east win of Montfort Jones Memorial Hopsital opened May 11 after a short ribbon cutting and a few words were spoken by officials and community leaders.
-
Sniper rifle purchased for KPD
At the request of Kosciusko Police Chief R.J. Adams, the Kosciusko Board of Aldermen approved the purchase of a sniper rifle for the department during the May 1 board meeting.
-
City Arrests
The Kosciusko Police Department reports the following arrests:
– On Monday, James C. Erving, 60, was charged with disregard for traffic device, no proof of insurance and possession of liquor in a dry county on Highway 12 West by officer Jimmy Evans. -
Attala School board hires staff for next school year
The staff and faculty of the Attala County School District has been hired for the upcoming school year during the May 7 meeting of the Attala County School Board meeting.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
