Heroic Work of National Weather Service Employees

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Photo: Twitter via Climate Central, I converted it to B&W
Andrew Freedman of Climate Central has this outstanding article about the severe hardships of the Rapid City NWS employees during the recent record blizzard:

"Access to the office is still blocked. Two employees were able to hike in around some obstructions, but it is not possible to drive out of the parking lot due to snow drifts and downed trees in the neighborhood. The SOO (one who hiked in) is attempting to take two stranded employees home this morning. One forecaster hiked in for his mid shift last night, and I sent him home so he can come back tonight. Of the three who are on duty at this time, two have been here since 7 a.m. Friday, and I have been here since 3 p.m. Friday. We have two NWR (NOAA Weather Radio) transmitters down: Terry Peak and Rapid City. We have three ASOSs (Automated Surface Observing Stations) down: IEN (Pine Ridge, S.D.), RAP (Rapid City, S.D.), and PHP (Philip, S.D.).”

This hardly an isolated example. In Warnings I talk about the near inhuman conditions during and after Hurricane Katrina endured by NWS employees in New Orleans.

If you know an NWS employee, please let them know how much you appreciate their work and dedication.

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