Nolan-Lowe Family receives NWS Family Heritage Award for 75 years of service

Pictured (left to right): Shawn Harley, Meteorologist-in-Charge NWS Jackson, KY; Dorris Lowe, Cooperative Weather Observer Baxter, KY; Tabitha Brewer, Hydrometeorological Technician NWS Jackson, KY

Doris Lowe, the cooperative observer located at Baxter, Kentucky, was presented with a 75 Year Family Heritage Award on Wednesday, January 6^th, 2016, for contributions that both she and her father have provided to the National Weather Service, as well as their community for three quarters of a century.

Charles Homer Nolan began taking weather observations for the National Weather Service on January 1, 1940. During his time as a weather observer, Mr. Nolan installed the first staff gauge at the Baxter Water Plant, upgraded the gauge to read in tenths of inches instead of feet, assisted in the anchoring of a staff gauge to the concrete abutment on the Central Street Bridge, and also assisted in the re-establishment of sections of the staff gauge when washed away. All of these activities fell outside of his duties as a cooperative observer. When asked why he was so dedicated, Mr. Nolan simply responded, “There are times you get tired of fooling with it, when you have to get up at 6 a.m., but you get a satisfaction out of doing something that’s a public service. I’ve enjoyed it.”

Upon her father’s death, Doris Lowe became a cooperative observer for the National Weather Service, insuring that the Nolan-Lowe family never missed sending in an observation. Between Mr. Nolan and Mrs. Lowe, the National Weather Service has had up-to-date river reports during the Floods of March 1963, April 1977, and March 2002, all of which were very significant floods for Harlan County. During these times, both observers would work both day and night to provide hourly and 2 hourly rainfall totals and river stage reports to the National Weather Service so the most up-to-date forecast and warnings could be issued.

Mr. Nolan was a recipient of the John Campanious Holm Award in 1973 and the Thomas Jefferson Award in 1980. Doris Lowe was a recipient of the John Campanious Holm Award in 2009. These are very prestigious awards within the National Weather Service with only 25 Holm Awards and 5 Jefferson Awards given out nationwide each year. Mr. Nolan served the National Weather Service until his death in 1987, which amounted to 47 years of dedicated service. Mrs. Lowe has served the weather service for the past 28 years.

Mrs. Lowe is every bit as dedicated as her father was to the Cooperative Observer Program. In the Late 1990s, Mrs. Lowes’ home had to be rebuilt above flood stage due to the Corp of Engineers Flood Mitigation Project. All weather equipment was moved to her mother’s yard. However, during this stressful time, Mrs. Lowe did not miss a single observation.

Mr. Nolan and Mrs. Lowe both have had very serious illnesses, as well as having their own homes impacted by flooding, during their time as Cooperative Observers, but neither of them let these issues stop their sense of duty and continued to send in the daily observation. It is for these reasons, and many more that are not listed, that the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky respectfully recognizes this family for their dedication and service.