WELCOME TO MAY 2006!!!!

May 1, 2006

There is a risk for severe thunderstorms across the entire region through tonight.  Tornadoes are a disticnt possibility.  
Large hail and high winds likely.

The Weather Center is ready for SEVERE WEATHER SEASON

The weather center is up and running - waiting on storms to fire tonight

Several upgrades to the weather center over the past several months

We are now using 

• Wild Blue Satellite Internet for emergency backup

• Comcast High Speed Internet for normal operations

• Emergency Backup Power Supply Units

• GEMPAK Weather Software for tracking weather

• Live Level 2 and 3 Radar for tracking severe thunderstorms and tornadoes

• GR AE - the nations most advanced public street level radar software.  See into the storm before a drop of rain even
  hits the ground.  

• Allisonhouse live street level lightning data

• Barron Radar - both mobile and base.

• WeatherTap for latest weather information

• IWIN Data

• F5 Storm Modeling Data 

• HurrTrak - The worlds most advanced hurricane forecasting and tracking software/subscription service.  
  Including AWE wind forecasting.  Street level SLOSH - Wind - forecasting capabilities.

• E-Spotter National Weather Service and the new NWS Chat Services.  Live communications with
  those responsible for issuing bulletins.  This provides our emergency management team the most accurate
  information possible.

• Wx-Messenger.  Live weather wire from NOAA.

• InterWarn for updated watches and warnings

• Wright-Weather for the latest model data

• Multiple viewing monitors for local and national media information.

• Emergency Radio Communications have now been installed.  Both mobile and base units.  Coverage for communications will include most
  Western Kentucky Counties - including McCracken County DES - Ballard County DES - Graves and Marshall County frequencies.  
  Also communications with state (Kentucky and Illinois) frequencies and homeland security emergency channels.  

• Uniden Scanner Units for updated spotter and emergency services data.

• Weather Oracle MK III For current conditions here in Lone Oak

• Real Time Maximum Anemometer System.  Gives wind speed and highest gust without dependency on electricity. 

• Weather radio equipment set up for four state area.

• Direct TV Satellite Television  backup

May 2, 2006

Incredible night of wicked storms here in the Tri-State Region.  Thunderstorms roared through Paducah around 2:30 this morning 
and lasted for hours.  We had some of the most intense lightning I have ever seen during the month of May.  Hundreds of cloud
to ground strikes, non-stop thunder, hail, nearly 2 inches of rain, and high winds.  Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings
were in effect for most of the night across the area.  Baseball size hail fell west of Ballard County, Kentucky at 2 a.m. this morning.

Another round of severe weather is possible on Wednesday and Thursday.  We should get a break today.  Hopefully the
severe weather will miss us tomorrow.  Perhaps it will stay to our south and southwest.

I have Red Cross meetings this morning.  We are getting ready for the CDREE next week.

Otherwise...I am worn out :) from the storms keeping me up. I am hoping for better sleep tonight!

DAY 61 of Garbage Can Held Hostage

So I woke up this morning and there was a large dog going through my trash.  This was not my
dog because I don't own a dog.  I don't want a dog...I don't need a dog.  This was a good example
of why I don't have a dog.  He seemed to be eating the left over BBQ and Potato Salad from
Sunday.  Even though he was obviously enjoying his breakfast I had to interrupt his digging; as the
guy who picks up my trash would be here shortly.  I was hoping they might also bring my 
trash can back.

So anyhoo I spent about 10 minutes picking up trash.  This was on my way to the Red Cross meeting
which I was already running late for.

So at that point I was a bit irritated and decided I should call CWI (the garbage pick-up company) concerning 
whether or not they might release my trash can which has been held hostage for the past month 
and a half.

Sooooo I called and talked to the lady AGAIN...she assured me that she would make a work order.  I told
her that she told me that last week and the week before and the week before.  She told me she would take it to her
manager immediately.  I asked her when I might expect a homecoming and whether or not I should untie
the yellow ribbon that is wrapped around the tree out front.  She said she would get right on it.

Day 61 of Garbage Can Held Hostage...

HUNDREDS MARCH IN PROTEST OVER OUR GARBAGE CAN

Bush speaks out on the issue...

We heard that Jessee Jackson might show up.  On another note...don't get me started on the gas company.

Big storms in the plains tonight...

zoom zoom

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Strong thunderstorms likely this afternoon and evening across the region.  Threat for tornadoes appears
to be increasing.  Plenty of sunshine to cause instability to rise throughout the day.

Already this morning VERY intense and severe thunderstorms are moving across Eastern Missouri...towards
St Louis.

100 barrels of oil on the wall...100 barrels of oil - take one down and pass it around 99 barrels of oil on the wall

99 barrels of oil on the wall...99 barrels of oil - take one down and pass it around 98 barrels of oil on the wall

98 barrels of oil on the wall...98 barrels of oil - take one down and pass it around 97 barrels of oil on the wall!

So how high will it go...$100 a barrel?  Doesn't seem very far off.

Squall line rapidly forming to my west - 1 p.m.

An amazing day of thunderstorms around here.  We were being hit from all directions.  Numerous reports of large hail across our
counties, some wind damage, many streets flooded in Paducah.  Pretty rough day.  Hopefully things will calm down tomorrow.  There
could be a few more storms though.

May 4, 2006

DAY 63 of Garbage Can Held Hostage.  

Still no word on the Garbage Can.  I guess the manager the she handed this off to doesn't 
have much authority with the kidnappers.  

We are holding out though to the very end.  We shall prevail.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Our next big BIG "local chapter" goal is to get an ERV.  This will be a huge step for our chapter.  We need an ERV and a DAT Team.  
With the ERV we will be able to pull together a disaster response team (DAT) and equip them with a vehicle.  Right now
we do not have a vehicle to feed people or participate in other events.  This will be a tremendous resource
for the Paducah Chapter.  It has been a goal that I have felt was worthy of pursuing since I joined this unit.  
I will certainly be one of the ones that will be driving it and helping to serve the local area.  We will also be
training others to drive and feed out of the ERV units.  Sue (our Chapter President) and her husband also have their 
ERV license.

I am very excited about this endeavor.  We estimate the cost of the ERV to be around $65-75,000 depending on
if we can get some discount and some in-kind donations.  We are just now in the beginning stages of discussing how
to do all of this.  Hopefully in the next couple of months we will be on our way to a new ERV!

This is an ERV - with me - in Mississippi

-----------------------------

Joeys little nephew :)

May 5, 2006

DAY 64 of Garbage Can Held Hostage.  

I did call today to talk to a manager.  I got voice mail.  Waiting for them to call and negotiate
the return of my can.  FBI agents are standing by...waiting for the phone to ring.

May 6, 2006


In Memory

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FROM DOWNTOWN PADUCAH

...VIA WEB CAM FROM WPSD NEWS CHANNEL  6

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MAILING ADDRESS

BEAU DODSON
465 Ashcreek Road
Paducah, Kentucky
42001
-

Phone Number
Home 270-554-6715
Cell 270-970-1202

Email beaudodson@hotmail.com