Community leaders and emergency officials joined the University of Louisiana at Monroe in breaking ground on a new Doppler radar site Wednesday.
The 70-foot tower is set for construction along Highway 80 near Johnson Farms. Atmospheric Sciences Department Head Dr. Anne Case-Hanks says the weather tracking system fills a void between current National Weather Service radar locations.
The radar system was acquired by a $3 million dollar grant through the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Ouachita Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Neal Brown says the Doppler system will be an invaluable resource during severe weather events affecting northeast Louisiana.
The Doppler radar tower is expected to be operational this fall.