Storm Trackers: A Look Into the Job

It's severe weather awareness week and a big part of that are the storm trackers....a group of brave people willing to face these dangerous storms to make sure you are safe.

In light of severe weather awareness week, we took a look into the adrenaline-packed job of a storm spotter.
   
Tracker Todd has been face to face with plenty of severe weather in his time as a storm spotter.  So we had to ask...are you crazy?

"You gotta have a couple screws loose...as we joke around.  Yes, as my Dad or Mom would say, I'm several sandwiches shy of a picnic basket......"

But Todd says when they're right in the middle of a crazy storm, that's the payoff.

"There's so much video and so many great pictures and excitement.  And you hear that coming through the two-ways, the walkie-talkies, the on-air and you just want to be a part of it." 

When our meteorologists are in the studio giving you the up-to-date info...they're relying on the storm-chasers out in the field risking their lives to catch a glimpse of something good.

"Helping get stuff on the air compiling all this video and getting the live shots back in.  There's a bug that grows on you, inside of you." 

And it's thanks to folks like Todd that keep the rest of us safe from the storm.  The National Weather Service says it's all about the radar and the storm-spotters.

Jody James, NWS:
"We couldn't do our job and keep people safe without the eyes and ears on the ground that is the stormspotters."