Henry Daily Herald

By Jason A. Smith

jsmith@henryherald.com

McDONOUGH — Registration is ongoing for a free program designed to help residents identify dangerous weather.

The Henry County Emergency Management Agency is now accepting participants for a pair of Storm Spotter classes. They are scheduled for Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be held at the county’s Emergency Operations Center at 526 Industrial Blvd. in McDonough.

The classes will be taught by Barry Goodman of the National Weather Service, said county spokeswoman Julie Hoover-Ernst. She said the classes will help residents be the “eyes and ears” for the NWS for severe weather in the area.

“The informative class will focus on how to spot dangerous weather, particularly tornadoes and hurricane conditions,” said Hoover-Ernst. “Participants will learn what a severe storm is, the structure of a severe storm, how it develops and how to inform the NWS of severe weather.”

Emergency Management Director Don Ash said his department has offered the classes for the last seven years during Severe Weather Awareness Month in February. He said more than 150 residents have taken the classes since they began in Henry County.

“It helps people be prepared for severe weather,” said Ash. “Some of them will become part of our emergency management program to provide us with advance weather information.”

Pre-registration for a Storm Spotter class is required. To reserve a space, call Shelita Broomfield at 770-288-7865 or e-mail sbroomfield@co.henry.ga.us.