Action 8’s second Lifesaver Radar goes on the air to track severe weather
WAKA Action 8 has now put our second Lifesaver Radar on the air to track severe weather to better protect Alabama.
The debut was scheduled to happen next week, but because of the severe weather threats we have today and Saturday, Chief Meteorologist Shane Butler decided the radar needed to go on TV now.
This new Climavision radar is located in Pine Hill, which is in Wilcox County west of Camden. It is an excellent location to help close the “radar gap” in West Alabama, where people have never received adequate coverage from government radars which are too far away.
This project has been underway for more than two years.
The new radar, combined with the first Lifesaver Radar that Action 8 debuted last year near the Alabama-Mississippi state line west of Demopolis, closes that gap.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIFESAVER RADAR AT ALABAMA-MISSISSIPPI STATE LINE
WAKA Action 8’s second Lifesaver Radar was installed in December 2024 in Pine Hill, Alabama, in Wilcox County. — Photo from Climavision
The lack of coverage had been talked about for years, but there had been very little progress made in fixing the problem.
We decided that something needed to be done to protect lives. Our parent company, Bahakel Communications, LTD., of Charlotte, North Carolina, made the investment in this technology with support from the Johnny Adams Law Firm, which is the local sponsor.
Enterprise Electronics Corporation in Enterprise, Alabama, which built WAKA Action 8’s Lifesaver Radar – Photo from EEC
The radars were built by the Enterprise Electronics Corporation in Enterprise, Alabama. They use the X-band and are specially designed to scan the lower levels of the atmosphere where tornadoes can form.
These radars will give everyone a first look at incoming storms from the west. So even if you live in Selma, Montgomery or points east, you will benefit from seeing storms first.
We will have much more on the new radar next week on Action 8 News, Wednesday through Friday. Be watching to see more on how this radar system will be used to keep you safer. It’s technology that you won’t see on any other station.
