Weather Watching For 50 Years!

Meteorologists now know more about South Alabama's climate thanks to one dedicated citizen who's been watching the weather for the last half century! Meet 86-year-old Essie Chavers. For the last 50 years, she's been letting the National Weather Service know how much rain has fallen in the Wallace Community of Escambia County. Everyday she would check her gauge, then call them with the results. Meteorologists say they now know more about the climate here because of Essie's service as a weather observer. Tuesday, the National Weather Service honored Essie with a special award for all her work, "I always liked the rain and you know knowing how the weather's going to be because I wanted to go fishing and I wanted to know if the weather was going to be alright," said Chavers. Essie is retiring as a weather watcher. But, the National Weather Service will still get their rainfall amounts from Wallace. Essie is passing the torch to her daughter.