BISMARCK — Louise Yeats, 80, of Bismarck was honored by the National Weather Service on Tuesday for providing rainfall observations for 45 years.
In a ceremony at her home, Yeats was presented the Richard H. Hagermeyer Award by Meteorologist-in-Charge Renee Fair of the National Weather Service office in Little Rock. The award recognizes the service of longtime cooperative weather observers.
Yeats has been providing weather information — first to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, then the National Weather Service — since 1965.
“When they started building the dam for [DeGray Lake], they were asking around the post office if anyone wanted to check the rainfall and send the information to the Corps office in Vicksburg (Miss.),” Yeats said. “My husband, who was a mail carrier, thought I might like to do it, and so I started. It doesn’t seem possible that our lake has been there that long.”
Yeats said it was a surprise for her when she was recognized for 40 years of collecting observations, but this time, she knew it was coming.
“[Five years ago], they told me they had something for me and suggested I invite some of the neighbors over, and they came, and the award was beautiful, and we had refreshments,” Yeats said.
“Mrs. Yates is typical of the thousands of cooperative observers who have given their time and energy because of their interest in weather and dedication to our country,” Fair said in announcing the presentation. “We thank her for her commitment and honor her with this award.”
Every day at 7 a.m., Yeats checks the rain gauge in her front yard and records the information. Today, many cooperative observers report their findings over the Internet, but the rainfall information from Bismarck still arrives at the Little Rock office once a month by the U.S. Postal Service. Her use of the post office might be out of loyalty. Both she and her late husband, Warren, worked for the postal service. She was a rural carrier for 15 years. She worked 15 years at a show store in Arkadelphia and was also a substitute teacher when her husband taught in the Bismarck School District.
“I’ve always had a job,” Yeats said. “I worked until I was 70. I still have a house to run, and we have a farm. I manage 60 acres of pine trees. I am glad I have those jobs. They keep me active.”
Yeats said she enjoys making the observations.
“It has been a challenge sometimes, but it is never a chore,” she said. “If there is rain or lightning, I might wait awhile to take the reading.”
When there is ice or snow, she must take in the frozen precipitation and melt it before it can be measured. Yeats has gone on vacation and missed some readings, but she said she has never allowed an illness to interfere with her observations. She also trained her three daughters to gather the information and record it.
It has been very dry since May, according to her observations.
“There have been lots of times when we had 5 or 6 inches in a day, and we had 11 inches one month,” Yeats said. “That is a pretty good amount for the month.”
Yeats keeps the record books for five years, but she is proud that her observations will be part of the national public records forever.