(L - R) White County EM Tamara Jenkins, Georgetown Mayor Ron Snyder, Chuck Lang, Fire Chief Eddie Stephenson, Debra Lang and White Co, Judge Michael Lincoln (Photo: WFO Little Rock)
(May 21, 2012) - National Weather Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials marked a new record river level on the White River at Georgetown, Ark. In May 2011, the White River at Georgetown reached a record stage of 33.95 feet. The previous record was 32.80 feet, set in February 1949.
The officials also honored veteran cooperative observers Chuck and Debra Lang during a special ceremony on May 4. They were recognized for their heroic efforts during numerous flood events in recent years and especially during last spring's historic flooding.
Even as the town became cut off by water, they continued to provide critical weather and river level information to the National Weather Service forecast office in Little Rock. Their observations played a key role in helping the office provide lifesaving flood warnings.
The Georgetown weather observation station was opened on October 16th, 1912. Chuck and Debra Lang are the latest observers to continue the nearly 100 year family tradition of providing a lengthy, accurate record of river stages, rainfall and snowfall at Georgetown.
Little Rock Meteorologist-in-Charge Renee Fair noted, "Chuck and Debra Lang are truly dedicated voluntary public servants of the United States."
In addition to the recognition of the couple's dedicated service, Mrs. Lang was also presented with a picture of her late grandmother, posing next to a rain gage in the 1940s.
