Less rain expected for area as storm tracks east; Generator needed to help storm spotters’ efforts

It’s possible Poplar Bluff has already seen the heaviest band of rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry.

Members of the Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team have spent the weekend coordinating with the National Weather Service to track the system.

It’s something the volunteers do whenever there is a threat for severe weather.

“It’s not going to impact our area as much as they first thought, but it is still going to impact Tennessee and Kentucky,” said PBSWRT Director Craig Meador, shortly after noon. “It’s still marching to the north, but it’s moved east.”

Rain gauges in Butler County have seen between 2-4 inches of moisture since midnight, he said.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for the area through 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The NWS is predicting another 1-1.5 inches through Wednesday, under early models, according to Meador, who manages the group’s southern command center.

From this location, Meador can keep track of the radar, as well as coordinate by radio with spotters in the field, law enforcement and officials from surrounding counties and the NWS.

Meador also has the capability of setting off storm sirens for the city of Poplar Bluff and Butler County.

The members also operate a northern command center to provide additional support when a large storm system requires a greater number of spotters in the field and to ensure redundancy, should Meador’s station go down for some reason.

The norther center is operated by Deputy Director Steve Seawright.

The group is fundraising now to provide a backup generator for this location. The $450 expense would mean the difference between Seawright being able to continue to operate his systems when the power goes out, or being shut down at a crucial time.

“Moving forward, it looks like there’s going to be a lot of clearing as this thing continues to move north and more to the east,” said Seawright, who’s center also has access to detailed weather prediction models used by the NWS. “There are some heavy showers but they are moving to our east within the next several hours.

“We’re mostly clearing with just some slight isolated showers following for today and mainly into early Wednesday morning.”

Meador and Seawright share the duties of staying in contact with field spotters, first responders and the National Weather Service during storms.

A small system might see about half a dozen people in the field, while a large organized system, with the potential of a tornado, could mean more than a dozen.

“There is a huge need for this northern command center to get a generator in place,” said Seawright. “I’m in a really rural area. If the power goes out, it’s for three to four hours at a time. I’ve had it go out 11-12 hours at a time.”

The storm spotters volunteer their time, and pay for their own fuel, vehicles and equipment. A fundraiser in 2018 secured money for much-needed radio equipment, through the support of the community.

“The Poplar Bluff Severe Weather Response Team is an essential part of our community safety,” said Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers. “Those individuals, they volunteer their time and resources to help us when storms are coming. Having command centers are an important part of that.”

Myers pointed out that the on-the-ground storm spotters’ reports are also critical to the NWS. Butler County is located at the farthest edge of the Paducah, Kentucky office’s radar coverage.

“It’s hard for them to be able to detect some incoming storms,” Myers explained. “Having trained storm spotters out there gives them awareness. Everything works together in conjunction with the National Weather Service.”

To help with the generator project, Meador can be reached at 573-718-4218, Seawright at 573-714-4479 and Myers at 573-686-8686.