ACTION 8 LIFESAVER RADAR: Local leaders grateful to have this new tool

Local government and emergency officials are already expressing thanks as they find out about Action 8’s new Lifesaver Radar.

“This is the fulfillment of a dream,” Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins said.

The new Climavision radar system has been installed near the Alabama/Mississippi state line to provide an earlier, more accurate look at storms moving into the state from the west.

This radar is provided through a partnership between WAKA Action 8 and Climavision, with support from The Johnny Adams Law Firm.

This project has been in the works for two years, and was unveiled Monday by Action 8 Chief Meteorologist Shane Butler.

Mayor Collins said for years, he and officials in his area had asked for better radar coverage. While many people have talked about the lack of good radar coverage, no one had done anything to provide a solution until now.

Marengo County Emergency Management Agency Director Kevin McKinney says that in the past, tornadoes were missed and warnings were never issued. He says that will all change with Lifesaver Radar.

“It’s going to mean better accuracy, earlier timing.”

While Lifesaver Radar can only be seen on Action 8, the data will be shared with the National Weather Service as it provides watches and warnings.

The new Lifesaver Radar will benefit the entire area. That’s because everyone can look to it for the first view of incoming storms, even for people living in Selma, Montgomery and points east.

Be looking for more weather announcements from Action 8 in the coming weeks as we work to protect lives in severe weather.