New doppler weather radar in Marion

1 Apr 2024

WTOK

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - The Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency has a brand-new tool to help keep the public safe.

A new doppler weather radar has been installed on top of the Marion water tower.

The new installment covers a nearly 8,000-foot tall gap that the Brandon and West Point radars cannot see.

This radar is owned by the private company Climavision, but access has been given to LEMA for its use.

Odie Barrett with Lauderdale County Emergency Management says with spring severe weather on the horizon, this radar could not have come at a better time.

“So right now, it is live. We have a thread here in our office, we’re able to connect with and get live data from it. It’s one of the four radars we use here in our weather room. It’s going to add so much more data from ground level up to 6,000 feet, 8,000 feet, where we have not had coverage in the past,” said Barrett.

The radar’s official grand opening will be held some time in the third week of April.