The Teen Weather Guru: How Ethan Clark is Keeping North Carolinians Safe

This: a college student, just 21 years old, becomes the go-to person for weather updates during a hurricane. That's exactly what happened with Ethan Clark from North Carolina. He started a simple Facebook page in seventh grade to share forecasts with friends and family. Fast forward to Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and his page gained massive attention because people loved his detailed reports. Now, Ethan isn't just an amateur weather enthusiast. He has taken courses in meteorology and natural hazards at North Carolina State University. His unique approach focuses on engaging with his audience, answering their questions in real-time, and hosting live sessions to explain complex weather patterns. He even creates colorful maps that make understanding storm paths a breeze. As Hurricane Helene approached, Ethan's page saw a huge surge in followers. Residents trusted him for timely updates because he provided clear, straightforward information without the hype of local news. His work has been so valuable that some residents even evacuated earlier than advised by officials, and many have said his posts saved their lives. Ethan's dedication is impressive—he juggles his studies with running the popular weather page, often working long nights to provide updates. He believes his page fills a crucial gap left by struggling local journalism. Looking ahead, he hopes to expand his coverage to neighboring states or build a career in meteorology.