Storm chasers are vital to keeping Oklahomans safe during severe weather

"Let's head out to Jeff Smith who's behind the storm. Jeff, where are you and what are you seeing?"

"Allen Wright is out following this massive cell. Allen, what's going on where you are?"

If you've watched me on TV covering storms this Spring, no doubt you've heard me refer to Jeff and Allen. They are just two of the many brave men and women that chase storms for Channel 2 to help provide us information we use to keep you and your family safe.

Many chasers remain nameless, and faceless for that matter. So much of the work they do never sees the light of day. But it's their work that helps us track where the storms are and what they're doing .

And unfortunately, for many, storm chasers get a bad rap. Not everyone understands the value behind these folks.

I got an email Wednesday, following our Tuesday night storm coverage, that didn't paint a flattering picture of storm chasers. The emailer called them " nothing more than wannabes " who " provide very little useful information ." The email went on to say that " when these idiots get on the air " all it does is it " validates their need for attention ."

The person who wrote that email could not have been more wrong.

Having storm chased for nearly 20 years earlier in my career, and knowing many of the men and women personally who are out there risking their lives, spending their own money, and getting little to no recognition for their hard work, I felt compelled to tell their story and defend their work.

" Nothing more than wannabes " - While most do not have a degree in meteorology, they attend spotter training classes, network and learn from other chasers, and have access to weather data the general public could not interpret.

Most are very weather savvy and have a passion for helping others. They have resources available today that were not around 10 years ago. I have known chasers who have more knowledge about weather than others who graduated with a degree in meteorology. Most are darn good forecasters. I do not know a single one who would want to be in a suit, tie, and makeup and have to be inside a television studio for long periods of time. While they do some reports on the phone, many are uncomfortable around cameras.

" Validates their need for attention " - This I cannot understand.

We have many spotters out who chase without ever being on radio or television. There will be no mention of their names, no cable TV show, no "thank you' from the public. Most get zero attention. They are often portrayed as inbred, drooling Kamikaze pilots who can't wait do drive their beat-up Dodge truck into the middle of a tornado. And the movie "Twister" didn't help. Most are compassionate smart people who love science and the idea of helping others.

Tuesday night we had several who chased for hours before they called in a report. None of them ask to be on television and no one asks to do live reports on the phone. It was only after the storms Tuesday that I found out a couple of them were out chasing.

" Provide very little useful information " - Spotters are the key to us confirming tornadoes, lighting, high winds, flooding, damage, and injuries.

The technology we have today is so much better than what we had 10 years ago, but still this data only goes so far.

We rely on these men and women, to give us additional information. They do this by spending hundreds of dollars on radios, computers, air cards, gasoline, etc.

Most work a full day at their paying job, then load up and hit the road. They allow the media, the National Weather Service, and the public to better understand what is about to happen, what is going on at that particular moment, and after-the-storm reports.

The National Weather Service would not be nearly as effective as they are in issuing tornado warnings without spotters.

I only wish you could see all the hail, flooding, wind, and damage reports they feed in during an event.

" When these idiots get on the air " - I don't understand why someone would not want a first-hand account of a forming tornado.

When a spotter gets on the air they are able to tell us if a tornado has lifted, or is still on the ground. They tell us if a road is closed due to flooding, or if homes have been destroyed. They let us know when storm sirens have been activated, or if the power has been lost in a city.

Spotters save lives.

Without having these people on the front lines, we would have less accurate warnings and more of the public would be lost to storms.

I thank the Lord for all they do for the public. I shake their hand when I speak to them and say "thank you" for the sacrifice they give in time and money to saving lives. I hope you will do the same.