Marion tower receives weather radar
Dec. 19—The town of Marion may not be large in population, but it will have an outsized impact on the surrounding areas as a new weather radar installation is being installed on the town's water tower.
On Monday, crews from Climavision, a radar and climate technology company, worked to raise the large radar dish onto its new perch. When brought online, the radar will provide valuable weather data for Lauderdale County and the surrounding area and play a critical role in keeping residents safe.
Lauderdale County Emergency Management Director Odie Barrett said Meridian and Lauderdale County is currently covered by radar systems in Tuscaloosa in the east and Brandon in the west. Neither system, however, provides the east Mississippi region with data below 8,000 feet in elevation.
At a press conference announcing the radar in November, Barrett said that gap from ground level to 8,000 feet can make detecting some hazards, such as EF1 and EF2 tornadoes, very difficult. The addition of the lower level radar imagery will help identify those threats earlier and give residents more time to prepare.
"With this radar and the National Weather Service radar, we should have 100% coverage to 40,000 feet from ground level," he said.
The benefit of the radar system will not be limited to Marion or Lauderdale County either, Barrett said. With an effective radius of 65 miles, the equipment will provide much of east Mississippi and west Alabama with critical weather data.
On Monday the Marion Board of Aldermen approved a contract with Climavision authorizing the company to lease space on the town's water tower. Town Attorney Dustin Markham said the company will pay $4,800 per year to rent the space, and the agreement will be valid for four years. After the four years, the board can choose whether or not to renew the contract.
Barrett said he wanted to thank Marion Mayor Larry Gill and the aldermen for being willing to explore the idea of hosting the weather radar and helping bring the project together.
"If it wasn't for Marion and Mayor Gill, we would be back trying to find somewhere to put it," he said. "Working hand in hand with Marion, this is truly a team effort to get this done, and it's been an honor to work with them."
Alderman Norman Coleman said the radar station will increase safety for Marion residents as well as those in surrounding communities.
"This is a thing that can help the safety of our citizens, not just for Marion but the area," he said.
Gill said he is glad Marion can provide a place for the radar station and help bring that resource to the area. He said he wanted to thank Barrett for recognizing the opportunity and working to locate Climavision's investment in Marion.
"Like you said, 65 miles in every direction. That's a lot of coverage, and we're excited about it," he said. "And we're thankful that Marion is able to play a part in helping surrounding counties."
Barrett said it will take about 30 days to bring the system fully online once the installation is complete.
Contact Thomas Howard at thoward@themeridianstar.com
