For their life-saving warnings on KTEN TV in Ada when tornadoes devastated Marietta and Sulphur in late April, the station meteorologists were honored by the Oklahoma legislature.
Ada Sen. Greg McCortney led a Senate Resolution that credited the team with saving the lives of residents.
“These individuals are true heroes, and our communities are incredibly blessed to have them looking out for us. Further, we are incredibly appreciative of their continued coverage of the relief efforts in Sulphur, Holdenville, and beyond,” McCortney said.
The tornadoes struck south central Oklahoma on April 27 and 28 and the KTEN meteorologists tracked the storms and issued warnings.
The KTEN team who covered these severe weather events was comprised of Meteorologists Hunter Donahoe, Amber Nowaski, and Cathy Corbett, led by Chief Meteorologist Mandy Bailey. Bailey is a University of Oklahoma graduate who has an extensive severe weather background and provides analyses that are strengthened through her experience and education from her OU Meteorology coursework.
“After seeing the destruction in Sulphur, it became apparent how many thousands of lives were in harm’s way. KTEN’s minute-by-minute coverage allowed residents plenty of time to seek shelter and prevented further loss of life. We cannot thank these talented meteorologists enough for their comprehensive forecasting and coverage, and use of technology that kept residents updated and safe,” McCortney said.
The storms proved deadly and killed four individuals, one in Marietta, another in Sulphur and two in Holdenville.
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