ACTION 8 LIFESAVER RADAR: New tool to protect us all in severe weather

For years, thousands in our area have not had complete radar coverage to protect them in severe weather. That all changes with Action 8’s new Lifesaver Radar.

Action 8 Chief Meteorologist Shane Butler introduced the new radar Monday, which will be a part of our weather forecasts from now on.

We have been working on this project for about two years.

This new radar from Climavision was recently installed near the Alabama-Mississippi state line to give you never-before-seen coverage of severe weather in West Alabama.

People in West Alabama have wanted this type of coverage for years. While there has been a lot of talk about the problem, nothing has been done about it until now.

DETAILS ABOUT LIFESAVER RADAR

• Lifesaver Radar is exclusive to WAKA Action 8
• Lifesaver Radar is an addition to government radars you already know
• Lifesaver Radar has 10 times the resolution, so you’ll see storms more clearly
• Lifesaver Radar scans lower levels of the atmosphere, areas that distant radars often miss
• Lifesaver Radar has the first look at storms incoming from the west, giving everyone an earlier warning

So even if you live in Selma, Montgomery or points east, you will benefit from seeing storms first.

NEW WEATHER PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JOHNNY ADAMS LAW FIRM

This new technology doesn’t come cheap. Our parent company, Bahakel Communications, LTD. of Charlotte, North Carolina, has made a major investment to keep people in our area safe.

The Johnny Adams Law Firm has joined with us as a partner to show it also has a commitment to public safety. We could not have completed a project this large without them. We thank them for their support.

The Johnny Adams Law Firm is also providing support for Action 8’s Thunder Truck, our live weather camera network — which now includes a camera in Millbrook — and all severe weather coverage, including Safe from the Storm special reports and our Code Red weather alerts.

LIFESAVER RADAR: BUILT IN ALABAMA

Climavision radar systems like ours are going up in radar gaps across the country. We’re happy to say the radar equipment is  built right here in Alabama, at Enterprise Electronics Corporation in Enterprise.

Enterprise Electronics Corporation in Enterprise, Alabama, which built WAKA Action 8’s Lifesaver Radar – Photo from EEC

EEC has been in business since 1971, providing radar and satellite solutions to companies worldwide.

“Being able to merge the information between the weather service and the data they provide, and then use this hyper-local technology and give a comprehensive view, just is incredibly impactful,” Tara Leigh Goode, the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Radar Operations at Climavision, said.

For us, it’s using Alabama hands to save Alabama lives.

LOCAL LEADERS THANKFUL FOR A SEVERE WEATHER SOLUTION

Local government and emergency officials are already expressing thanks as they find out about Lifesaver Radar.

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

Collins said for years, he and officials in his area have asked for better radar coverage.

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.”

DATA TO BE SHARED WITH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

While Lifesaver Radar can only be seen on Action 8, we will be sharing our data with the National Weather Service. That way, it can craft better watches and warnings. It is the right thing to do to protect us all.

When you see watches and warnings from the National Weather Service, you’ll know that our data is making for earlier, more accurate watches and warnings. It’s another benefit of having the radar located to the west, as storms move into Alabama from Mississippi.

Action 8 will be making more weather announcements in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to see how we are working to save lives here in our area.