McCoy to speak on local weather history

Van Wert Historical Society news

On Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m., the Van Wert County Historical Society will welcome Van Wert Office of Homeland Security/Emergency Management Director Rick McCoy as guest speaker in the Annex as he gives a presentation on the “History of Van Wert County Weather.”

McCoy is well known for developing the Storm Ready Program in Van Wert County in January 2002 and is credited with saving hundreds of lives when devastating F-4 tornado ravaged the county on November 10, 2002.

Because of his actions, he was the first person in the United States to receive the National Storm Ready Hero’s Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. He was also awarded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather and All Hazards Radio Mark Trail Award in Washington, D.C.

Since then, McCoy has spoken at numerous EMA and National Weather Service conferences around the country about severe weather preparedness and the November 10, 2002, tornado.  He has also appeared on The Weather Channel’s “Forecast Earth and Storm Stories” programs and has been featured on “National Geographic” and The History Channel.