About Skywarn
What is SKYWARN?
The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established SKYWARNwith partner organizations. SKYWARN is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.
Although SKYWARNspotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the main responsibility of a SKYWARN spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms. In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. These events threatened lives and property.
Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARNspotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.
SKYWARN storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the Nation's first line of defense against severe weather. There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time--seconds and minutes that can help save lives.
Who is Eligible?
NWS encourages anyone with an interest in public service and access to communication, such HAM radio, to join the SKYWARN program. Volunteers include police and fire personnel, dispatchers, EMS workers, public utility workers and other concerned private citizens. Individuals affiliated with hospitals, schools, churches, nursing homes or who have a responsibility for protecting others are also encouraged to become a spotter.
How Can I Get Involved?
Parke Vermillion Skywarn requires all spotters to have taken a basic NWS Spotter Course within the past two years, the course is free to anyone who attends it provides information and training that will keep you safe in the field while spotting along with the proper ways to spot storms.
Contact Chris Johnson This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (765) 430-3277 or Chuck Procarione
Frequencies
Clinton Repeater - Used for ARES & Skywarn Communications - 147.715 No PL (W9COD REPEATER)
ARES/Skywarn Simplex - Used only in the event that the W9COD Repeater were to go down - 147.510
Leadership
Parke/Vermillion County Skywarn Coordinator - Position Available
Parke County ARES Emergency Coordinator - Chris Johnson W9WXW
Vermillion County ARES Emergency Coordinator - Chuck Procarione W9COD