Hello, my name is Andy Patrick, and I am the new Meteorologist-in-Charge with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.   I am honored to have been selected for this position.   Leading a National Weather Service office is an awesome task.  Fortunately, I have a great staff to help me.  Also, I am very grateful to many of you who have welcomed me to the area.  This certainly includes those in the media and emergency management community. 

I have worked for the National Weather Service for nearly 20 years.  My previous duty stations were in Tampa, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Brownsville, Texas.  While working at these stations, I gained considerable experience working severe weather and hurricane events.  In my discussions with the National Weather Service Lake Charles staff, elected officials, and members of the emergency community, I am learning more on how Hurricanes Katrina and Rita affected Louisiana and southeast Texas.  While these hurricanes caused considerable damage, it was very clear that the National Weather Service and area communities worked together to save lives.   That’s what teamwork is all about! 

I know that residents in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas rely on dependable weather information.  Whether we are warning for severe weather or providing day-to-day forecasts, the fine staff at our office will remain dedicated in providing the best possible service to you.  While providing weather information is our main objective, we also like to interact with area communities to promote weather safety.  Feel free to call us if you would like for one of our staff to come to your venue and give a weather presentation.  Are you involved with a group that wants to learn more about our office?  Call us to schedule a tour of your National Weather Service facility.  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at Andy.Patrick@noaa.gov.  I look forward to hearing from you!