Spring entered like a Lion late last month as deadly tornadoes ripped through Mississippi and Alabama on March 24th. At least 26 are confirmed dead in what was a particularly deadly outbreak. Yet, the death toll could have been much worse, and a Christian weatherman from station WTVA in Tupelo, Mississippi is being hailed for saving lives for two reasons: the urgency of his reporting, and an on-air prayer for those he knew were watching his coverage.
As meteorologist Matt Laubhan reported on the tornadic activity in his viewing area, his tone and demeanor became increasingly concerned as he urged residents to take cover.
“Oh man, north side of Amory, this is coming in,” he said to residents of a small town as frightening images of the tornado appeared on his radar map. Then, spontaneously, he cried out “Dear Jesus, please help them, Amen.”
One Amory resident, Leah Ann Hubbard, told the Independent that Laubhan’s serious tone is what convinced her to seek shelter from the tornadoes.
She recounted watching him report and the moment she knew her life could be in danger: “All of a sudden, Matt says, ‘This is a potentially deadly tornado.’ I just remember him saying ‘deadly’ over and over.’ He saved lives, for sure.”
In an interview with CBN, Laubhan related how his prayer to Jesus just popped out of his mouth out of his concern and care for his viewers’ safety. “Like anything that you practice without thinking, it just kind of happened,” he said.