[californiadisasters] House Bill Could Hamper Severe Storm Spotters

Congressional bill could hamper severe storm spotters

by STEVE STOLER

WFAA

Posted on April 7, 2011 at 5:20 PM

Updated today at 5:48 PM

FORT WORTH - Tornadoes kill an average of 60 people a year. 

Part of a tornado disaster plan always involves ham radio operators, which are volunteers who track storms and report back what they see to other amateur radio operators stationed at the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. But, it may soon be much harder for them to do just that.

During severe weather, radio operators keep in constant contact with volunteer storm spotters in 46 Texas counties from the Red River south to Austin. It helps provide information so the weather service can issue severe weather warnings fast and accurately. 

 

"I can't imagine issuing severe weather warnings without having trained storm spotters in the field," said Bill Bunting, the chief meteorologist in charge at NWS Fort Worth. 

 

Bunting said amateur radio operators provide a vital link for the Skywarn Systems. But, there's growing concern about a bill before Congress. The measure could reallocate radio frequencies to public safety agencies. That would essentially take away the frequencies used by the amateurs. 

 

"Radar is a great tool," Bunting said. "It allows us to see things that we could never see before in a thunderstorm. But, what it can't tell us with absolute certainty is what's happening in a certain area. How large is the hail? How damaging are the winds? Has there been damage? That can only come from the eyes of a trained storm spotter."

 

Mike Heskett has been a volunteer radio operator at the Weather Service for 16 years. 

 

"It would probably mean there would be times when we just wouldn't have communications," Heskett said. 

 

And the ham operators say with little or no communication, the public will be shortchanged by not getting the most accurate and updated reports when they need it the most. 

 

Bill HB 607 will soon be debated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Source: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/congressional-bill-could-hamper-severe-storm-spotters-119432314.html

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