Volunteer Storm Spotters Keeping Community Safe, Informed of Severe Weather
When there is a pending storm on the horizon, no matter how small, the Volunteer Storm Spotters can be found tracking the event in an effort to keep the community safe and informed regarding severe weather conditions. That has been the mission of the Volunteer Storm Spotters ever since it was formed a little over one year ago in Hardeman County, Tennessee.
“Christal Gowdy, Theresa Ester, Dawn Harris, Ryan Rogers, and myself founded the organization one year ago in April. All of us broke off from another spotting group. We have over 100 years plus of storm chasing history with our focus being just on the 21 counties in West Tennessee. There are currently 10 Chasers, 30 that I would call active spotters, and over 400 following and participating in one form or another,” said Stephen Byrd, who serves as the organization’s administrator, dispatcher/radar tech. “As Volunteer Storm Spotters, we observe and report severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, hail, high winds, and flooding to help keep communities safe. We provide real-time, ground-level information to local emergency services and the National Weather Service. Our reports enhance radar data and improve warning accuracy during severe weather events.”
The members are located throughout West Tennessee, which gives them close access to the areas they cover when spotting. According to Mr. Byrd, the Volunteer Storm Spotter group has been able to assist in aiding the community by providing early, accurate reports of severe weather, which can lead to faster and more targeted warnings. The members communicate with the community through Zello, a push-to-talk app, through its Facebook group, and sometimes using local ham radio frequencies.
“Having a reliable network ensures that when the skies turn dark, we are ready. This real-time information can save lives and reduce property damage by giving people more time to take shelter. The group also supports emergency services with critical updates, improving overall disaster response and preparedness,” said Mr. Byrd.
The Volunteer Storm Spotters is a non-profit organization and self-supported by the chasers who provide their own equipment. It does take donations, which are used to manage recurring expenses like radar subscriptions, severe weather preparedness presentation, and for community education associated with severe weather.
“Storm chasing isn’t just the adrenaline rush—it’s the responsibility. It’s about being eyes on the ground during the storm, and with helping hands once it’s gone. Every report matters,” said Mr. Byrd, who shared about how the group assisted in the storm, which came through Bolivar in 2024.
“Our team was on high alert and as always, our spotters were ready. Around 3:45 p.m., one of our team members positioned themselves near Bolivar, following reports of increasing rotation. Equipped with a simple cell phone and in constant communication with our dispatch on Zello, they moved west toward Whiteville to intercept the developing cell which produced golfball sized hail which covered the ground near Bolivar Ford and the area just south and west of there.”
The team was also instrumental in reporting during the most recent storms, which came through in April leaving devastation in Hardeman and McNairy Counties.
“We had a spotter in the basement of Selmer City Hall and worked closely together to help keep the community informed and aware. We had team members who tirelessly worked around the clock for four days straight to monitor, read warnings, and relay information to the public on our Zello channel every time severe weather threatened that area. On that particular night, we all came together to help one another. At one time or another, every one of our team was affected by those storms. We all fell into our roles and worked to keep the general public, as well as us, safe. We have all been told, either individually or as a group, that if it wasn’t for us, they wouldn’t have known about the warnings until the last minute and possibly too late,” said Mr. Byrd, who shared Volunteer Storm Spotters members also assisted with storm clean up.
A goal of the Volunteer Storm Spotters is to grow beyond only being a group of storm spotters and to become a full-scale organization of dedicated spotters and responders.
“We’re proud to be part of West Tennessee’s front line—before, during, and after the storm,” said Mr. Byrd. “We want to be a trusted source of help and hope when our communities need it most.”
To learn more about the Volunteer Storm Spotters, you may e-mail volunteerstormspotters@gmail.com and join the Volunteer Storm Spotters Facebook group.
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