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The Memphis National Weather Service & Skywarn Storm Spotter Partnership:
A Commitment to Excellence - National Weather Service - Memphis, TN

The National Weather Service, the Tishomingo County Emergency Management Agency and
Tishomingo 911 Dispatch is hosting a Skywarn Storm Spotter class on Tuesday, September 23, 2003
at the Tishomingo County Court House in Iuka, Mississippi at 600 pm. This class is open to all residents
in the region. The address of the Tishomingo County Court House is:

1008 Battleground Dr
Iuka, MS 38852

The Memphis National Weather Service, in partnership with our emergency management officials, local
media, and regional Skywarn storm spotter community, is committed to providing residents of the
Mid-South with the best severe weather information and protection available. In a continuing effort to
fulfill this commitment, your Memphis National Weather Service offers a 2-hour course that instructs
prospective storm spotters on the latest meteorological used to identify severe thunderstorms. In
addition, new storm spotters are instructed on how to properly report severe thunderstorm information
to the National Weather Service in support of local warning operations. Additional information
concerning the Skywarn Storm Spotter Program, including online training and a schedule of Skywarn
classes in your community can be found at www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/skywarn.html.techniques

Prior to the start of the spring and fall severe weather seasons each year, hundreds of dedicated
weather enthusiasts from all across the Mid-South participate in the Skywarn training program. Storm
spotters that successfully complete this training, continue on to unselfishly serve this community by
providing timely and informative storm reports to the National Weather Service during severe weather
episodes. The information helps the National Weather Service provide timely and accurate severe
weather warnings. These reports are also instrumental in protecting the lives and property of all residents
living in the Mid-South.

Their first class service to our community was never more apparent than during the recordbreaking
severe weather outbreak of May 4th - 11th, 2003. During this first full week in May, numerous severe
thunderstorms produced several large and deadly tornadoes across many of the southern states,
including more than 40 tornadoes here in the Memphis area. One severe thunderstorm in particular
produced an F-4 tornado that struck Jackson, TN and portions of Madison county. This thunderstorm
was responsible for at least 65 injuries, 11 deaths, and more than $19 million dollars in property
damage. The Memphis National Weather Service was able to issue a tornado warning for the Jackson
area and Madison County that gave residents 22 minutes of advanced notice. Another severe
thunderstorm, producing an F-2 tornado, struck downtown Dyersburg in Dyer county. No lives were
lost in this storm due to the excellent storm reports and advanced warning. The assistance that the
National Weather Service received from our local Skywarn storm spotters, regional emergency
management agencies, and local law enforcement officials led to the successful lead-time that
undoubtedly saved lives. In addition, local broadcast media performed flawlessly in providing live storm
information that allowed local residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the
damaging storms.

Skywarn storm spotters, working in conjunction with the Memphis National Weather Service, regional
broadcast media, and local emergency management officials, continue to provide critical information
when you need it most. The National Weather Service works closely with all of it’s partners to provide
you with accurate and timely warnings. Thanks to the dedicated service of our volunteers and the
experienced forecasters at the National Weather Service, weather warnings are distributed with lightning
speed to all residents across the Mid-South. When an alert for severe weather is issued, you can be
sure that trained professionals at both the National Weather Service and it’s partnership organizations
are working together for your well being.

Scott Cordero, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
Weather Forecast Office
Memphis, TN
(901) 544-0411
scott.cordero@noaa.gov

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