The Palmetto State Weather Network is Part of The Hayes Media Weather Network Commerce, GA which includes The Northeast Ga Weather Center, The Northeast CT Weather Center & Northeast GA Storm Chasing. 🌎 The Hayes Media Weather Network: A Beacon of Community Safety and Weather Expertise
The Hayes Media Weather Network (HMWN), headquartered in Commerce, Georgia, is a dynamic, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to safeguarding lives across the Southeast region and beyond. We are more than just a weather monitoring hub; we are a unified force committed to accurate weather forecasting, real-time data collection, and comprehensive community outreach and education. Our network is anchored by our key affiliates and subsidiaries, including The Palmetto State Weather Network "Upstate" and The Northeast GA Weather Center, which are both owned and operated by The Hayes Media Weather Network. The Northeast GA Weather Center is our sister network. While operating in different states, all our affiliates, which also include Northeast GA Storm Chasing, share the same core mission and organizational structure. Our Mission: Protecting Lives by increasing severe weather lead times and community education.
🚨 24/7/365 Vigilance: Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
At the core of HMWN's mission is a commitment to providing timely and accurate weather information. Our team maintains a relentless 24/7/365 watch over the skies, utilizing a network of volunteers, professional meteorologists, and trained observers. This constant vigilance ensures that any signs of impending severe weather are detected and analyzed promptly. When threats emerge, we disseminate critical advisories and alerts through various social media platforms, ensuring that communities are informed and prepared to take necessary precautions. Our work does not end with severe weather season; we are an all-hazards weather team who covers the weather year-round, no matter the season.
💨 Boots on the Ground: Storm Chasing and Data Collection
When severe weather strikes, our dedicated chase teams, operating under Northeast GA Storm Chasing (NEGSC), deploy into the heart of the storm. These teams are highly trained individuals who provide invaluable real-time data directly to the National Weather Service (NWS). This data, which includes visual observations, atmospheric measurements, and damage assessments, plays a crucial role in refining weather forecasting models and improving the accuracy of warnings. The data they gather includes but is not limited to hail size, wind speed, cloud formations, and any observed damage. At the same time, our trained weather spotters turn their eyes to the sky and stand ready to report any severe weather sightings to the NWS.
📚 A Comprehensive Community Outreach Program: Education and Empowerment
We believe that education is the cornerstone of weather preparedness, and we manifest this through a robust community outreach program that is equal across the entire Hayes Media Weather Network:
Community Outreach Severe Weather Educational Training (COSWET): This program offers both online and in-person classes designed to educate individuals, families, and communities about severe weather safety. COSWET covers a wide range of topics, including thunderstorm formation, tornado safety, flood awareness, and emergency preparedness. Homeless Weather Alert Program (HWAP): Recognizing the vulnerability of homeless populations during severe weather, HWAP provides life-saving NOAA weather radios to individuals living on the streets. This program also collaborates with local emergency management officials to identify and establish safe shelters during severe weather events. Tactical Search and Rescue (TSAR): In 2024, HMWN further expanded its capabilities by establishing a Search and Rescue Team, demonstrating its commitment to providing comprehensive support to communities during emergencies.
🎓 The Power of Volunteerism and Specialized Training
HMWN is a 100% volunteer-driven organization, fueled by the passion and dedication of its members. Our commitment to transparency ensures that every donated dollar is reinvested into our mission. We support our members through rigorous, specialized training:
The Northeast GA Weather Center’s Storm Chaser Training Academy (“STA”): This is a 1-year training program that combines both field and classroom instruction to train and certify the next generation of storm chasers. All training at STA is demanding, and only the best complete this program. The curriculum was developed by our founder, Spc. Timothy Hayes, and has been transformed into a 377-page book called “Storm Chaser and Spotter Training 101: CHASE-WARN-RESCUE", available on Amazon and Kindle, which serves as the official training manual for STA. Staff Training & Education Program (STEP): This is our in-house staff training program. Through STEP, our members learn their duties here at our organization. STEP also handles spotter training and certification, as well as training our members on broadcast and communications, radio etiquette, and radar operations. The Volunteer Corps: The Volunteer Corps is the recruitment arm and HR component of our organization. Our recruiters handle everything from applicant communications to member orientation. They also serve as new member points of contact as they go through their initial training. Each storm chaser recruit has a recruiter assigned to them who maintains contact and acts as a mentor throughout their training. All members of our organization and its subsidiaries is a member of the Volunteer Corps.
🤝 A Vital Partnership: NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador
In recognition of our dedication to weather safety, The Hayes Media Weather Network and its affiliates have been awarded the prestigious title of NOAA National Weather Service Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador. This designation signifies a strong partnership with NOAA and the NWS, allowing us to play a vital role in building a more weather-ready nation. What it Means to be a WRN Ambassador:
WRN Ambassadors are organizations committed to working with NOAA to strengthen national resilience against extreme weather, water, and climate events. They serve as leaders in their communities, inspiring others to take action and prepare for weather-related hazards. Ambassadors engage in outreach and education activities, promoting weather safety and preparedness. They collaborate with NOAA and the NWS to share best practices and develop innovative solutions to weather-related challenges. They aid in disseminating critical weather information to their communities. This partnership increases our ability to help in climate change awareness and other weather-related topics.
💡 Bright Idea Media Productions
Bright Idea Media Productions is our in-house production company. It is responsible for the production of all media content produced across the entire Hayes Media Weather Network. This includes live streams, educational videos, and other forms of media, helping us reach a wider audience and educate the public about severe weather preparedness.
🚀 The Future of The Hayes Media Weather Network: Expanding Reach and Impact
Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding our coverage area more over the next 5 years, ensuring that more communities have access to life-saving weather information. Key goals include:
Establishing a Comprehensive SKYWARN Network: We aim to build the largest SKYWARN network east of the Mississippi, empowering citizen scientists to contribute to weather monitoring and forecasting. Becoming an official 501(c) Non-Profit Organization: This transition will enable us to secure additional funding and resources, further enhancing our capabilities and expanding our programs. Expanding Coverage: While focusing on North Georgia and the Southeast, we aspire to become a nationwide organization and are currently recruiting staff and training members to help in this goal. We recently celebrated the opening of our Northern Plains weather center which will serve as HQ for that region.
📧 A Call to Action: Join Our Team or Become an Affiliate
We invite individuals and organizations who share our passion for weather safety to join our team. To Become an Affiliate: If your team would like to become an affiliate of The Hayes Media Weather Network, no matter what state you are in or area you cover, you can email us at: [email protected]
To Join as an Individual Volunteer: Anyone interested in joining our team, no matter what state you live in, can email us at [email protected] with your name and contact information, and a member of our team will be in touch. You can also call us at 1 (762) 499-0367. Simply leave your name, number, and a good time to contact you! Be sure to follow our pages and invite your friends and family to follow as well. Our weather alerts are issued in real-time via our link to the National Weather Service. In many cases, our Warnings and Alerts go out before you see them on the local news or your weather app. The Hayes Media Weather Network team’s work does not end at SEVERE WEATHER; our Weather Centers are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, bringing you wall-to-wall weather coverage no matter the season! Thank you for your continued support! We do not do what we do for fame or fortune. We are dedicated to saving lives. You, our followers and viewers, are the reason we do what we do! Thank you for making The Hayes Media Weather Network your #1 Weather Authority no matter the season!
