SELMA — When the thunder rumbles and lightning flickers, usually storm spotters take their posts in the area, looking for the first signs of hazardous weather.

Rhonda Abbott, interim director of the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency, argues there’s nothing like an extra pair of eyes on the sky to give the first alert for people in the area to take shelter.

On Oct. 19 at 6 p.m., the National Weather Service in Birmingham will be at the Hank Sanders Technology Center in Room 112 at Wallace Community College Selma to hold training for Storm Spotters.

Spotters are associated with SKYWARN, a volunteer program developed by the National Weather Service to train and organize the group. “Spotters are critical because they provide ground truth during an actual weather event,” Abbott explained. “Spotters are eyes below what radar can accurately pick up.”

To find out more information or register to attend the training, contact the Dallas County EMA at 874-2515.

Seating will be limited.