Addie McCluskey
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a monthly luncheon, Aug. 20, sponsored by River Bank and Trust at Catfish House.
The chamber’s luncheons provide valuable opportunities for local business leaders to connect, network, and learn from featured speakers. Each month highlights a new topic designed to educate and inspire attendees.
This month’s keynote speaker was Josh Johnson, Chief Meteorologist for WSFA.
Growing up in Jacksonville, Alabama, Johnson has known he wanted to be a meteorologist since early childhood. He attended Mississippi State University and earned his degree in meteorology.
Johnson joined WSFA in 2008 as the Morning Meteorologist, a position he held for nearly seven years. During that time, he played a key role in introducing the station’s advanced HD weather graphics system and was instrumental in launching StormTracker 12. In 2015, he was promoted to Chief Meteorologist.
“Alabama is actually number one in tornado deaths per capita,” said Johnson. “A variety of factors have caused this, whether it be tornadoes at night, substandard housing, or being in an information desert without internet.”
Through interactive presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on learning at schools and community events, WSFA’s meteorologists work to ensure the public understands how to prepare for severe weather and respond when emergencies arise.
“I genuinely think that the next generation will be better at dealing with tornadoes than we are because of the work that we do in schools,” said Johnson.
For more weather information, visit https://www.wsfa.com/. To reserve a spot at the Prattville Chamber’s monthly luncheon for September, visit https://prattvillechamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/2214.
