'Dear, Jesus, please help them,' WTVA Chief Meteorologist Matt Laubhan prays as tornado sweeps

[bonniebrown]

This made me so emotional. I get so tired of cold news reporters. To see how human and caring he was in this moment was very moving…

[jannaknight]

This is my meteorologist in Mississippi and we absolutely love him. He is a good man and he goes above and beyond his job as a weather forecaster and I wouldn't trade him for anyone else in the world. He had been telling us for 2 days there would be tornadoes and there would be 1 or 2 massive devastating ones that would be life threatening and he said exactly where those would be and 1 of those bad ones would come right through where I live and he was 100% correct. Matt even gets on his own Facebook when he's off and continues to be here for us through all of it. I've seen him be the only one still reporting after all the rest have taken cover at the tv station. Matt deserves any & every award that pertains to being a Chief Meteorologist because he cares about his family and all his viewers. We are BLESSED to have him.

[hhyperbaIIad]

this was the last thing my family heard from the storm shelter right beside the tv, then our power shut out and the pressure of the tornado was felt, and we heard glass shatter and everything. we were praying so much and we are so grateful we are alive. our truck is destroyed and we will have to move in an airbnb for a few months until they fix our backyard and roof but we are so grateful to be alive. thank you matt lauhban for everything you do for us in this area.

UPDATES: me and my sister are staying at our great aunt’s house while our parents stay home and sort everything out. there are no airbnbs left and so we will be in a camper out on our property for a little while until the damage is fixed. a lot of the upstairs will be replaced, my father is a veteran and so we thankfully have great people backing us up, shouldn’t take all too long to get back on our feet.

[derrickrr]

For those of you wondering, Amory was heavily damaged, with no fatalities.
Reference: Amory Escapes Without Fatalities

[deanhirasawa]

I may not be a Christian, but this was a heartfelt prayer from a meterologist who knew this was possibly a mile wide EF-4 that had destroyed two other towns in the past hour. I would like to think the people of Amory and all those in Mississippi in the 100 mile path of this monster tornado appreciated his prayer!

[bobloblaw]

I don't know this brother, but I love him for this.

[mpireone]

His genuine sincere heartfelt thoughts and visibly shaken self... is a true human being

[hollygennaro]

He didn't care who heard him, he was truly concerned about the people in the tornado's track. It wasn't just something to say, like, Oh my God, I cannot find my phone." This was an actual prayer from the heart, to protect those people. What a kind man!

[cak]

What a guy. He’s a meteorologist and he knows the danger of these types of tornados. His prayer was so heartfelt. Bless him and his family. Those folks in Mississippi are facing a major cleanup now. I hope they receive all the help and assistance they need.

[eithnemelee]

I’m a meteorologist and this is, without a doubt, our worst nightmare. In the face of a disaster like this and feeling so powerless to stop it, it doesn’t matter what religion you are or if you’re religious at all, that sort of prayer transcends religion and culture and goes right to your heart. It’s the most sincere form of prayer and the most important. May this gentleman be blessed many times over for the composure and caring he showed in the face of disaster.


EDIT: some of y'all in the replies need to learn to behave yourselves. I'm not even slightly religious myself but I can still damn sure appreciate the compassion of prayer shown in the face of uncontrollable disaster. this isn't about christians vs atheists or any other religion, it's about human empathy.

[travelwithus]

At that exact moment my family and I was in shelter just up from our home that took a direct hit. But Matt if your listening u r the reason my family is alive. Your work saved our life. I normally don’t go to shelter but I saw the worry u had and went. So thank u.

[DrBeckyEm]

We love our Matt! He is somewhat like James Span (as from Alabama now live in MS.) Matt’s first day was “baptism by fire!” His first day occurred on April 27, 2011! He is a very warm and cares the people he is providing info regarding weather. He cares!!!

[gregorycarlson]

It is so wonderful that this man sees his job as more than just a job. Lord, bless this man and his family.🙏👍

[adamfeickwx]

As a fellow meteorologist this is something I hope I never have to do. He is a great example of how to stay calm and composed, also that this isn't just a job he's working. It's about helping protect life and property, and his community is blessed to have him!

[LesaLegit]

I heard this prayer this morning on news recap. Thanks to the meteorologist for praying for these people in their time of need. This brought me tears. We need more of this type of coverage - facts and prayers.

[ApolloNVM]

What a great thing to do. Even if you aren't religious. To show this much empathy and care for your viewers and community is so admirable.

[sadieratliff]

He is a true Christian. He didn’t even think about it. He knew how bad it was and his heart cried out. No filter- just real. I respect him immensely for that.

[Lily_of_the_Forest]

He really cared. Cared about complete strangers. That kindness is comforting.

[mstyles]

Empathy. A dying trait that every single human being should posses and express. Mr Laubhan is a class act, a blessed man. We need more people like this. Men and women.

[rebeccagraves]

If a tornado is coming toward me I'd want him to pray for me. What a good man