POWERGRAMS

19 SAFETY businesses and industries with local weather information." That facility, which was first located in the Life Sciences Building on campus, has been providing valuable weather information since that day. When hurricanes, tornadoes or severe thunderstorms threaten an area, the center notifies its clients via email or phone, allowing them ample time to prepare. "It's important to businesses to know if they need to schedule a shutdown, get their employees to shelter or schedule workers to respond," said McCarty. "But if they get word from us that the storm has changed direction and is not coming their way, that's just as important because they can continue their operations. They trust us to give them the weather information they need." Williams said many companies along the Mississippi, Alabama and northwest Florida Gulf Coast particularly depend on the center's web-based hurricane model, which tracks storms, providing an hourly projection of wind direction and speed. The facility's weather prediction center uses computers to monitor satellite and radar imagery, storm graphics and data that can be provided to clients at a moment's notice. "We're here to save lives and prevent injuries, if possible. But at the same time, we're trying to help companies save money and prevent shutdowns and damage," Williams said. Williams had the foresight in 1992 to launch USA's undergraduate meteorology degree to educate students and provide them with hands-on training in weather forecasting. It remains the only program of its kind in Alabama. The facility features a meteorology broadcast center where students develop weather forecasts and take part in internships. The students' weather forecasts air on the center's YouTube channel, AtmosCenter USA and JagTV. Corey Bunn said he was "sold" on USA's meteorology program as soon as he toured the Coastal Weather Research Center. Bunn graduated from USA with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology in 2011 and has worked as an operational meteorologist at the center for the past decade. "When I first toured the Coastal Weather Research Center in 2008, I already knew I wanted to get into forecasting outside of the TV broadcasting arena," Bunn said. "To get that operational experience in a facility that mimicked the National Weather Service, there's no other place like it. It offers a unique setup for students to get hands-on operational experience and knowledge in a real setting." McCarty said when meteorology students come to campus, the Coastal Weather Research Center is first on their list of places to visit. "You won't find a weather forecasting center like it at any other large university," he said. "We are in a prime location here in Mobile because we have the right mix of tropical weather, tornadoes and winter weather to make it interesting for students to come here to learn meteorology." Scott Moore, Alabama Power senior vice president of Power Delivery, said the company and the foundation are proud to support a facility that plays such a vital role. "We, like so many other companies, depend on the timely weather information we receive from the center. Thanks to those folks, we can keep our employees safe and make better decisions about our operations during times of severe weather," Moore said. "We are also honored to play a part in helping to educate and prepare the next generation of meteorologists." Director McCarty said partnership with Alabama Power provides 'recognition and credibility.' Odom talks with Coastal Weather Research Center founder Williams. PHOTOS BY DAN ANDERSON

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