Gary Beeler Retires

Alabama Mobile  After four decades of working for the National Weather Service Beeler hangs up his forecasting hat.
by Jene' Young
Published: Fri, January 09, 2009 - 5:52 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, January 09, 2009 - 6:05 pm CST
You've seen him forecast some huge storms in our area, but after 41 years of working for the National Weather Service, Beeler is making a big change of his own.
He says, "Instead of worrying about the weather, I'd like to enjoy it. And that's what I'm going to do for a while."
You may recognize Beeler, for the past few decades he has done everything from survey tornado damage to track hurricanes.

He says, "Our primary mission is to save lives. Whether the storm is hitting here or not, we know it's going to impact somebody. We just hope we got the word out."

He says the worst tornado damage he can remember in our area was the Miller's Ferry EF 4 tornado in March of 2007. That tornado destroyed a fishing hot spot.
"We were up in a helicopter looking at the damage and we just looked at it and it's like all the trees had been cleared away for a landing strip, but in reality, the tornado came and blew all the trees down."

After nearly half a century at the National Weather Service, Beeler says he will miss his family at the office, but will enjoy his free time too.
"Now maybe I can spend more time exercising."
Embed:
Email a Friend Email to a Friend   
Printer Friendly Printer Friendly
Download Video   
Translate: » Spanish | French | German | Italian | Japanese | Chinese | Russian | Hindi

Recently Commented On

Baldwin School Closing A Possibility?

3 Total Comments
Baldwin School Closing A Possibility? Baldwin County Board of Education says more layoffs, school… more »

Deadly Ship Explosion

1 Total Comments
Deadly Ship Explosion One person is dead, another believed to be dead following… more »

Gulf Coast Classic Attendance:…

10 Total Comments
Gulf Coast Classic Attendance: 8,495 The city of Mobile put up more than $70,000 for the 2009… more »

Katrina Ruling Could Bring New…

6 Total Comments
Katrina Ruling Could Bring New Deluge Of Lawsuits Now that a federal judge has blamed "monumental negligence"… more »

Fairhope Man Pleads Guilty To…

1 Total Comments
Fairhope Man Pleads Guilty To Hitting Cyclists Bradford Maples of Fairhope entered a plea Friday morning… more »