An Open Letter to Eyewitness News Chief Meteorologist Candice King

While there's nothing we can do to stop dangerous weather, having someone calm and collected to explain what's happening can be a game-changer. 

In a world where click-bait gets attention, it's refreshing and calming to have someone who's not trying to scare you lead you through a treacherous storm and we have that here in Rockford on WTVO and WQRF in Eyewitness News Chief Meteorologist Candice King.

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Like most Midwesterners, I've spent my entire life prepping for tornados and bad weather. You know you're from the Midwest when Tuesdays at 10am you're shocked if you didn't hear the tornado siren test instead of being surprised by it.

Prepared or not, facing an actual storm and potential tornado is really scary and sometimes we see different media outlets use big words or intense possibilities to get our attention.

But, that's never been the case for Candice King.

Last night was a perfect example of Candice's calmness. For a few hours she and her weather team, explained what was happening in the area without any scare tactics or exaggerations.

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She gave specific details about the storm's timeline and level of danger and even when she decided the tv station was in harm's way, she calmly led her co-workers to a safe area, while she stayed with her mic open on the air to continue to give information to viewers on TV and online.

I've been through tornado warning broadcasts all over the Chicago suburbs, in Iowa and here in Rockford and Candice is the only meteorologist that keeps my stress level low during such a scary time.

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Yes I do work with Candice at WQRF, but well before I ever met her, I knew she was the one I'd turn to in a weather emergency in the Stateline.