Obligatory "About Me" Internet Page
Thanks for visiting "www.flickingerweather.com". This site used to be nothing more than my weather photo database, but in the last few years I've gradually created a hopefully decent looking web page. During the Spring severe weather months, I'll update my Southern Plains chase outlook several times a week.
Professionally I'm employed with KJRH-TV Channel 2, the NBC affiliate in Tulsa. Previously I've worked for several TV stations in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas including 5 years as the chief meteorologist for KTXS-TV in Abilene, Texas. While most of my work involves the media, I've also worked as a private meteorologist testifying during court room litigation.
I have a broadcast journalism degree and several years of meteorology training at Texas A&M University.
I'm originally from Orange, Texas which is a small town near the Louisiana state line, and I graduated from West Orange-Stark high school.
Growing up near the Gulf Coast and dodging hurricanes every few years, I thought I wanted to work at the National Hurricane Center some day. That changed after I visited a local TV station. So now thanks to my TV job and school presentation duties, I get to answer rather perplexing questions like: "Mr. Flickinger, where do people on a submarine go if a tornado is spotted?" ( my answer 'Tell the skipper to put the periscope down and drop 50 fathoms!'.....the teachers like that answer!)
The deadly May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma was a turning point in my career goals. At the time I was the Chief Meteorologist at KTXS-TV, but after watching videotapes of how Oklahoma TV stations covered severe weather I wanted to join in. And I literally wanted to be "out in the field" more so I could study tornado behavior. I left my cushy Chief Meteorologist job and moved to Oklahoma ON PURPOSE!
In the last few years I've chased more tornadoes than I care to count, and I try to use this experience to provide more precise and expert information to our viewers. I've also picked up a few awards along the way including a first place award for "Best Weathercast" in Oklahoma and an honorable mention in Texas. I was also voted "Favorite Weathercaster" several times in Abilene.
My family lives with 4 dogs in Broken Arrow, and we hope to stay in the area a long time!
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