Maintaining an Effective Rural County Skywarn Group in the Southeastern United States

In 1990 the Lawrence County Tennessee Skywarn Association was organized by a small group of 3 people. Since the organization of the group, Lawrence County experienced an F-3 tornado in 1994, an F-4 tornado in 1995, an F-5 tornado, and a flash flood event in 1998. Over this time the group has grown to 20 active members. A summary of problems, solutions, and lessons learned during the past 10 years, that are unique to a rural county in the Southeastern US, is presented. These include; 1) methods used to position spotters to monitor severe storms as they pass through the county; 2) training beyond that provided by the local National Weather Service Forecast Office to assure Spotter safety because of the poor visibility due to the landscape, rapid storm movement, and often attendant cloud cover; 3) improving communications from the spotter group to local emergency agencies, the National Weather Service, and the public through installation of a new privately-funded NOAA Weather radio station; 4) maintaining interest and moral during extended periods of inactive weather; and 5) conducting a post-storm survey.