Video: Military Completes Fix of Radar Vision

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MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — A big problem for the weather safety of as many as 2 million people is fixed.

Since 2013, a radar tower operated by Columbus Air Force Base near Gattman in eastern Monroe County has been partially blocked by trees. That not only meant problems tracking flights but also predicting weather coming into Lamar County in Alabama and parts of Lowndes, Monroe and Itawamaba in Mississippi.

In all, the radar provided coverage for 14 counties.

A contractor has cut the trees, opening the radar’s sight lines and restoring forecast capabilities well into Alabama. That small project has a big impact.

“The blockage in particular was effecting as many as two million people in two counties in Mississippi and 12 counties in Alabama,” explained Lt. Col. Elizabeth Harwood of Columbus Air Force Base.

The project started three weeks ago. The military paid the property owner for the trees.