Storm Sentinels: Students' Tornado Alert System

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Corey with the story with Birmingham News today. Students at Southampton K through 8 school in Alabama are national finalists in the Samsung saw for tomorrow competition. Their project, Storm Sentinels, uses a Raspberry Pi computer to send early text alerts for tornadoes. This gives families in Pratt City and Forestdale up to double the usual warning time to seek shelter. The inspiration hid from the 2011 tornado outbreak that devastated parts of Alabama. Back then, warnings came with just 10-15 minutes notice, leading to major destruction. These eighth graders want to change that for their local area. Alabama faces about 64 tornadoes each year, putting a right in the heart of Storm Country. Projects like this highlight how young innovators tackle real community threats and could prevent future tragedies. As finalists among thousands of entries, the Southampton team earned a spot to pitch in person. Seven of the ten teams will win $50,000 for their schools, while three national winners

1:04get $100,000. Nearby schools like Hoover High and others in Birmingham also received honors this year. Meanwhile, voting is open now for an extra $10,000 Community Choice Award. Head to the Samsung site, click on Southampton's Storm Sentinels video, and vote once a day through April 8th. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. Headphones in a pillow, simple idea, surprisingly addictive, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com.