Storm AlertCenter’s Chief Forecaster Daniel Wilson shares how it all began, and where he is now.
By Samantha C Sinclair
In 2012 Daniel Wilson started the Storm Alert Center in Russell County Kentucky. However, Wilson’s fascination with storms and tornados didn’t begin there. It began aftera tornado in 1971. When the super outbreak brought it’s destruction in 1974 he recalls listening to weather reports in the basement with his family. He recalls the static on the radio. In May of 1984 Wilson was working at WJRS Radio. He shared at that time they didn’t have a lot of weather equipment. They did have a teletype, and they were broadcasting most of that weekend. Following WJRS, Wilson worked for WHVE Radio. Through that media, he was able to be on CNN live and other TV networks during severe weather events.
Following his leave from WHVE Wilson knew he still had to be involved. This took much thought and prayer. When he began the Storm Alert Center in 2012 with 10 or 15 people, he never dreamed it would grow to 38 thousand people today. Chief Forecaster Daniel Wilson, storm anchor Keith Richardson, and Pulaski County correspondent Abbi Jasper. take what they do seriously, have a dedication to the community, and want to gain and keep the trust of the people with accurate broadcasting.
In 2012 Wilson rode out a tornado in his vehicle. He said he has no regrets. It was an EF2, and he said it was very interesting. Wilson says if you are going to forecast you should have a tornado under your belt. Wilson said it is a bad feeling when you see things flying that shouldn’t be, and moble homes disintegrating. Power poles fell only 10 or 15 seconds away from him.
When the floods hit Eastern Kentucky two years ago, Wilson remembers broadcasting some about it that night. Though outside The Storm Alert Area, Wilson felt he had to do something. He says it was heart breaking to personally see the damage the floods left behind.
“If you did see one house with only one broken window, it looked like a bomb inside. It was where the rushing water pulled everything off the walls.”
Wilson recalls a meeting with a couple in what used to be their yard. The man said when the water was waist high, he told his wife they had to get out of there. As the water continued to rise, he grabbed his grandchildren. The family rode out the storm on a rock wall accross from their home.
“I Left there in tears,” shares Wilson.
He went to Eastern Kentucky without knowing a soul. Before meeting this couple, he came across folks in another holler who were not able to stop and talk due to working to clean up what they could. He stopped to offer food and water as well.
The Storm Alert Center is in the process of getting an app for folks to download. This will let you know they are live. Wilson reminds everyone now is the time to prepare for a severe weather event. Know where you are going to go, and take all warnings seriously. Have on a good pair of shoes on bad weather days. He would also like to remind everyone haveing multiple ways of getting watches and warnings is highly important. Weather Service Radios, and Tornado Alert Device are his picks.He learned about the Tornado Alert Device seven years ago, and they are able to alert up to thirty miles away. They cost one hundred dollars. You can not have these near computers, and 95 percent of time they work in all homes. Also Wilson is greatful for the new weather equipment that has came to Jamestown. He says he believes it was more crucial than those who helped get it realize. To learn more about my interview with Chief Forecaster Daniel Wilson visit the News To You FB page. You can find the link to this podcast along with part two of this interview
SamanthaCSinclair.com 