Congressman Randy Neugebauer visits with the staff of WFO Lubbock. (L to R) --Forecaster Bill Hopkins, Senior Forecaster Mark Fox, MIC Justin Weaver, U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer, SOO Steve Cobb, WCM Brian LaMarre, DAPM Johnny Wallace and Senior Service Hydrologist John Lipe. (Photograph by Jimmy Clark, Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Neugebauer).

(July 16, 2005) -- Following one of the most active severe weather seasons to impact the 19th District of Texas, WFO Lubbock received a visit from U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer and his Staff.

Meteorologist-in-Charge Justin Weaver welcomed the visitors and Warning Coordination Meteorologist Brian LaMarre offered a presentation discussing the role of the National Weather Service with an emphasis on WFO services and the importance of local partnerships.

A graphic of the Lubbock County Warning Area, superimposed with common counties from within the Congressman's 19th District, illustrated nearly 60 percent of the District was in the WFO service area. The Congressman expressed interest in the availability of NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and local public-private partnerships.

SOO Steve Cobb demonstrates WFO Lubbock operations to Congressman Randy Neugebauer and District Representative Mary Whistler. (Photograph by John Lipe, WFO Lubbock Senior Service Hydrologist).

During a tour of the operations area, Science and Operations Officer Steve Cobb provided a one-on-one demonstration of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System with a hands-on simulation of the Graphical Forecast Editor and WarnGen software.

Before leaving, Congressman Neugebauer noted he now has a "much better idea of the role of the National Weather Service" and said he was pleased to learn of the "healthy partnerships between the WFO, the local media and emergency management".

He also expressed a desire to see the WFO Lubbock staff perform during real-time severe weather operations. The Congressman was accompanied by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Jimmy Clark; District Representative Mary Whistler; and, Texas Tech University Intern, Woody Baum.