By Staff
Melissa Cason
Franklin County has put itself on the map – the weather map.
The county is now home to a WAFF weather camera as Channel 48 unveiled its newest location yesterday. The camera is situated atop the new Franklin County Jail.
"I began contacting the television stations about two years ago so that we could get this camera in Franklin County," Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said.
Many media outlets were asking for thousands of dollars in return for the camera, but WAFF, Alfa and Stratus Station, located in Hamilton, partnered to finance its installation for Franklin County.
"This is a hallmark occasion," Becky Shores , Marketing Manager for WAFF, said. "We had been working for several years to get the camera in Franklin County when Sheriff Plott contacted us."
Shores said a camera in Franklin County is critical because the location is pivotal in tracking storms through the heart of the valley.
WAFF held a reception for the public to unveil the camera yesterday evening and the weather segment of the 5 o'clock news was broadcast from Franklin County.
"This is important for us so that we can see the weather even before it gets here," Franklin County EMA Director Roy Gober said.
Stratus Station's Alan West said the cameras can zoom out for about 10 miles and can better see the conditions on the ground.
"Radar goes straight and all they see is rotation," West said. "They cannot tell whether the tornado is on the ground. The camera can see if the tornado is on the ground."
Shores said that Franklin County's new camera is one of eight dedicated to covering the Tennessee Valley.