Attack on Weather Radar
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An Oklahoma City news station’s weather radar was attacked not long after a far-right extremist group threatened to take “as many NexRads offline as possible.”
“It started with the chemtrails, and then it moved into Hurricane Helene,” said Southern Poverty Law Center’s Senior Research Analyst Rachel Goldwasser.
Background of the Threats
Goldwasser and her colleagues have been monitoring the far-right group known as “Veterans on Patrol.” She said their threats to take weather radars offline are relatively new.
Oklahoma City Police could not confirm yet that the attack on the local news station’s radar and the group’s threat are connected.
Similar Threats in the Past
However, the group made similar threats around the time Hurricane Helene went through South Carolina.
“We intend to take as many NexRads offline as possible once our attack simulations have prepared us,” posted the group’s leader, Michael Lewis Arthur Meyer.
“He has now moved to Oklahoma,” said Goldwasser.
The Group’s Leader
Meyer has been arrested several times and has been outspoken often in the past on issues that have turned out to be conspiracy theories.
“He’s become very vehemently against the military and its members, and I do think that could pose a danger in the future as well,” said Goldwasser.
Weather Radars as Weapons
Sebastian Torres, who works with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and has worked with weather radars for decades, was asked if weather radars could be used as weather weapons.
“Yeah, that’s impossible,” he said.
“Our goal is to provide the best information that we can to our forecasters so that they can make the best interpretation of that data. And issue timely warnings to save lives and property,” Torres said. “You don’t see it. There’s nothing that can be done to change things (weather).”
Debunking Conspiracy Theories
“They shouldn’t believe it,” Dr. Robert Palmer, dean of Oklahoma University’s College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, said of the conspiracy theories.
When asked what people should do when they hear about the existence of a conspiracy like “weather weapons,” Palmer, who is also the director of the National Weather Center, said, “Maybe they talk to their friends and tell them, you know, why it doesn’t make any sense. I mean, a weather radar is a system just to protect lives and property. That’s the only goal.”
Connection to Recent Flooding
This conspiracy follows the devastating and deadly flooding in Texas as well. Goldwasser said that combined with the ideas that Veterans on Patrol pushes out, it more than likely inspired others to either believe or act on them.
Law Enforcement Response
Law Enforcement said they are aware of the group and the threats made on social media. Oklahoma City Police, as of Wednesday afternoon, said they hadn’t made an arrest directly connected to the radar attack in the metro.
Conclusion
The attack on the Oklahoma City news station’s weather radar is a concerning incident that highlights the dangers of conspiracy theories and extremist groups. It is essential to debunk these theories and provide accurate information to the public. By understanding the facts and the goals of weather radars, we can work together to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of weather radars?
A: The primary goal of weather radars is to provide accurate and timely information to forecasters, enabling them to issue warnings and protect lives and property.
Q: Can weather radars be used as weapons?
A: No, weather radars cannot be used as weapons. They are designed to collect data and provide information, not to manipulate or control the weather.
Q: What is the “Veterans on Patrol” group?
A: The “Veterans on Patrol” group is a far-right extremist organization that has made threats against weather radars and has been known to promote conspiracy theories.
Q: How can I protect myself from conspiracy theories?
A: It is essential to verify information through credible sources and to be critical of information that seems too good (or bad) to be true. By being informed and aware, you can protect yourself from the dangers of conspiracy theories.
Q: What should I do if I hear about a conspiracy theory?
A: If you hear about a conspiracy theory, it is essential to talk to your friends and family about why it doesn’t make sense. By sharing accurate information and promoting critical thinking, you can help to debunk conspiracy theories and prevent harm.
