It’s been a deadly week weather-wise for many markets across the U.S. Following all of the tornado coverage on the national network news and on TV station social media sites reminded me of an incident that happened a few years ago. On March the first, 2007, a powerful tornado tore through the small town of […]
It’s been a deadly week weather-wise for many markets across the U.S. Following all of the tornado coverage on the national network news and on TV station social media sites reminded me of an incident that happened a few years ago.
On March the first, 2007, a powerful tornado tore through the small town of Enterprise, Ala. People lost their lives, the local high school and many homes and businesses were destroyed. At the time of the tornado, a grandmother, Gwen Black, and her grandkids were watching Dothan, Ala.’s ABC affiliate, WDHN. The station broke into normal programming and the meteorologist on duty, Greg Dee, warned viewers about a tornado that had been spotted on the ground in Enterprise. Heeding his warning, the grandmother and her grandkids moved into a hallway.
Seconds later, their roof was torn off, but they were unhurt.
A few days later, a relative of Black’s sent an email to the management at WDHN letting them know that Dee’s report spurred them into action and saved their lives.
I wanted to send you this email to let you know how your station has impacted our lives. On Thursday when the tornado hit Enterprise, Kelley’s two oldest boys (Tyler, 11, and Taylor, 10) were in a house with their grandmother Gwen. The house is located directly behind the football field at the high school and during the storm, it took a direct hit from the tornado. There were also two other children and another adult there at the time of the storm. They are all okay and only sustained minor injuries. Their grandmother wanted me to let you know that if it had not been for your station and its staff, they might not be here today. She was watching your station when the weather man told them that the tornado was coming and to get into the hallway. If she had not been watching at that time, things could have been very different. We just wanted to extend our deepest gratitude to you and your staff for such a great job that day. I know that sometimes, we wonder if our jobs really make a difference and we wanted you all to know that you have made a difference in our lives forever. If not for you station and staff, we may be one of those families making funeral arrangements rather than be able to hug our children today and let them know how much they are loved.
Sometime later, the station went with Gwen Black back to the house. There she met meteorologist Greg Dee.
If you have any on-air messages or news coverage examples that you’d like to share from your station, please email me the links.
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