A research team funded through Villanova University on a NOAA VORTEX-SE grant will be conducting focus groups across the area, and they’re looking for public input. They are studying the types of information people look for and use during severe weather and what they do to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“We know that over the years there’s been quite a number of notable high weather events here in the Tennessee Valley area. We know earlier this year we had a couple of events that, you know, impacted people around here with tornadoes and severe weather,” Kevin Ash, one of the focus group leaders and post-doctoral researchers says, “We want to know, what can we change? What’s still a problem? Can we make a plan to address in the future? And what are some things we are doing well in the weather community that people are happy about? We want to know those things too.”
Their goal is to help weather forecast, broadcasters, and safety officials better serve members of their public. As a part of their research they are inviting community member to attend one of the focus groups between May 19, 2018 and May 26, 2018. Each focus group will last 1-2 hours and participants will receive $30 as compensation for their time. You must be 18 or older to participate and will need to bring an I.D.
Locations include:
Gurley Library May 21st at 2:30 PM
New Market Senior Center May 22nd at 9:30 AM
Tillman Hill Library May 22nd at 2:30 PM
Madison Library May 23rd at 2:00 PM
Owens Senior Center May 23rd at 6:30 PM
Tanner Vol. Fire Dept May 24th at 6:30 PM
Athens Limestone Library May 25 at 2:30 PM
Murphy Branch Library May 26th at 9:30 AM
Downtown Huntsville Library May 26th at 2:30 PM
There are four ways to register for a focus group.
Text – 256-361-9014 be sure to include name and group
Email – vortexse2018@gmail.com be sure to include name and group
Facebook – Click “Get tickets” for the group you’d like to attend
Online – Click “Sign up” for desired date
