College Student Gets Praise for Hurricane Helene Weather Reports: 'Hopefully, I Am Helping'

10/04/2024 07:07 PM

"People claim I am a hero; I don't know about that," Ethan Clark, who runs an online weather forecasting page, wrote in a Facebook post

• Ethan Clark, a 21-year-old college student, is the founder of North Carolina's Weather Authority
• The weather forecasting page has been hailed a valuable resource to communities, especially during Hurricane Helene
• "I just wanted to make sure North Carolina is not forgotten about," Clark tells PEOPLE in a statement

A college student in North Carolina has been getting a lot of attention for sharing real-time weather information and updates to his followers during Hurricane Helene.

Ethan Clark, 21, who studies environmental science at North Carolina State University, is the founder of North Carolina's Weather Authority. With nearly 600,000 followers, the page provides forecasts and updates tailored to specific communities, which took on a greater resonance amid last week's deadly storm.

"I just wanted to make sure North Carolina is not forgotten about," Clark says in a statement to PEOPLE on Friday, Oct. 4, about his work. "Forecasting weather is my passion, and I want to keep doing that for the people of North Carolina. I appreciate that people are reaching out and noticing all the work I've been doing for years."

Related: Videos Show Mules Bringing Much-Needed Supplies to Areas Impacted by Hurricane Helene

What makes North Carolina's Weather Authority page appealing to Clark's fans, per Newsweek, is the emphasis on audience engagement, which includes answering weather questions in real-time and providing maps showing storm paths that are easy for viewers to comprehend. 

"I take great pride in the work I do. And I don't like to rush it. Even during storm events, I don't like to be the first person with doomsday forecasting because it changes so many times," Clark, who, is not a certified meteorologist but has taken meteorology courses, told the outlet.

Related: Florida Student, 21, Goes Viral Documenting How She Sheltered on Campus from Hurricane Helene

And not just weather forecasts, but North Carolina's Weather Authority has also posted situational updates in the wake of Hurricane Helene, whether it's from a local county government, a college or the North Carolina National Guard — even a lost dog in search of its owner.

The information has also made an impact when it came to people's safety. On Sept. 30, Clark shared a message he received from a woman who was visiting Black Mountain with her husband when they were caught up in the hurricane.

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"Scary few days, but my brother in law in Virginia found your page and my mother in Erie were both able to follow updates from your page and help us find a route out and home. Happy to report we're all safe," read part of the woman's message.

"My husband and I are almost back to Erie, and my in laws made it to family in SC," she added. "Thank you for all you've done and all you're continuing to do to spread awareness and information to so many people. You've been such a blessing!"

In response to that message, Clark later wrote in the comments section of that post: "Tbh I didn't think I saved any lives, I am just here telling the forecast. First responders and the National Guard are doing it all!!! Thank you for their service."

Related: From Crying Over Ice to 'Bucket Brigades': Inside Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in North Carolina

In another post from Oct. 1, Clark acknowledged the gravity of the situation North Carolina faces following Helene, but is optimistic that the state can rebuild. 

"I'm just a college kid with a deep love for this state," he wrote. "While it seems many folks have found me, I want you to know nothing changes with this page. I'll continue to provide the weather and keep taps small and large towns in between to the best of my abilities."

"And I still have a goal to help/ save lives through this platform in some way or another," he continued. "Apparently, I've saved lives. People claim I am a hero; I don't know about that. Hopefully, I am helping you and getting the story out."

To learn more about how to help with relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Helene, click here.

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