Page 16 - Discover Winter 2021

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Tiny Renovation CONTINUED
daily radio reports for WSLK and FOX Radio. says, “plus on a lot of projects I am my own boss.”
At about this same time, he realized that “Steve Oakes is like a father to me,” he added.
people were recognizing him from his pages on
Today, Jamey produces weather videos and
Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, rather than
graphics around the clock as needed, and shares them
from his days with Channel 10.
with Channel 12 viewers along with his followers
Over the years, many of his friends from on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and SnapChat.
WSLS had also left the station, some of whom began He still goes on the air when there is a storm, and
working for WSET, Channel 13 out of Lynchburg. often simulcasts with his Facebook Live audience.
The General Manager at the time was familiar with As a broadcaster, he is likely the most experienced
Jamey’s work, and eventually hired him. He was meteorologist in the area. In addition to his work
initially hired as a web producer and meteorologist by on social media, he offers consulting services and
WSET in November 2012. sponsored content.
Although his Jamey has never
Website became very married. He dated a
popular and experienced lot and confesses he
some of the highest hits ever can think of “a couple”
recorded during extreme of girls in his life that
weather, the job required maybe he shouldn’t
him to sit-out the weather have let slip through his
and miss the excitement of fingers.
going into the storm. Then in
“Who knows
February 2013, while on his
what may happen,” he
way to work, he had a bad
then says with a smile.
accident in his car. He hit a
large delivery truck head-on, He frequently
totally destroying the small mentions his faith and
sports car he was driving. He trust in God along
was, in fact, pinned in the with his love for his
car and had to be cut-out by hometown, his work
EMT personnel. family, his real family,
and all of his loyal fans.
He was airlifted to
His real love affair
Roanoke Memorial, where
continues to be covering
he spent a week in ICU, undergoing several surgeries
the weather.
to repair fractured bones in both legs, ankles, feet and
arms. His left knee had to be totally reconstructed. “TV stations and careers come and go, but the
He also had a bruised lung and broken rib. Once he weather doesn’t stop. My love for it isn’t defined by a
had recovered sufficientlyfrom his injuries to return to channel number, it’s defined by my unique passion for
work, the commute began to wear on him. No doubt
forecasting, a precious gift from God that knows no
it brought back memories of the collision, in addition bounds.”
to taking a toll on him physically due to the length
of the drive. Leaving his hometown and moving to One gets the notion that he would really like
Lynchburg never crossed his mind. He decided to to go chasing storms with a crew of other weather
quit, and return once again to Cable 12. geeks, as long as he’s always able to return home to
Rocky Mount.
“I like the laid-back atmosphere there,” he

14 Discover Smith Mountain Lake WINTER 2020