By Emily Southern, science writer
After nearly four decades of dedicated service to the Roanoke Valley, WDBJ7’s Chief Meteorologist Brent Watts has announced his retirement from broadcasting. His final day will be Sept. 19.
Watts, a familiar and trusted face to viewers across Southwest Virginia, is not stepping away from public service entirely. He has accepted a new role as director of communications for Botetourt County, where he has already begun the onboarding process.
Watts first came to WDBJ7 as a news photographer. He then transitioned years later into a meteorologist and then finally as chief meteorologist as he developed a love for the forecast.
Throughout his career, Watts has been known not only for his accurate forecasting and calm presence during severe weather events. As Watts steps into his new chapter, WDBJ7 announced that meteorologist Justin Povick has been named the station’s next chief meteorologist.
Coverage in 2004 of tornadoes during Hurricane Ivan, one of Watts’ first severe storms with Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner on the left and Watts on the right.
As director of communications, Watts will be the interface between government sectors, various emergency departments and the people of Botetourt County, using his emergency protocol skills he developed at WDBJ7.
Watts is excited for his new position, exclaiming that he’s ready for a change after decades in broadcasting.
“I am looking for something more of a challenge, something that would give me more skills and meet people that that I haven’t met before,” Watts said. “I still wanted to use some of the same skills that I had when it came to weather and media, public relations and crisis management.”
During his time at WDBJ7, Watts’ most memorable moment was when a Roanoke resident, Sharanda Totty, told him that one of his weather alerts saved her and her baby’s life during an EF3 tornado.
“She got a weather alert, and she took her baby into the basement, which literally was just some cinder blocks,” Watts said. “She got under an old mattress that was down there and when she got out, the entire structure was gone. Her home was gone; everything was missing. It kind of got me thinking like, ‘What would have happened if she had not gotten that warning?’”
WDBJ7 interviewing Sharanda Totty, covering an EF3 tornado that hit Sharanda Totty’s house.
Viewers of WDBJ7 who have watched and trusted Watts’ forecast for many years are sad to see him go. Jordan McDaniels, an avid WDBJ7 viewer has enjoyed watching Watts over the years.
“Watts is a great meteorologist,” McDaniels said. “When you watched, you could tell he really cared about his work and that’s why I loved watching him. I’m sad to see him leave for sure.”
Watts appreciates the support he has received from viewers since his departure was announced.
“After the announcement that I was going to be leaving WDBJ7, there was a huge outpour from people I’d never even met before,” Watts said. “It truly means the world to me that everyone trusted me with their forecast over the years and that I did a better job than I thought I did, actually, of getting the word out and giving them comfort during times when the weather was threatening or when they were scared.”
As chief meteorologist, it was Watts’ job to cover the newsroom if they were short-staffed or if someone had to stay overnight if the weather permitted. Watts is looking forward to a better work-life balance.
“I love traveling,” Watts said. “My wife and I love to travel, and I want to travel more locally as well. I love music, so getting out and hearing some local bands and being able to visit family more is going to be really nice.”
While he is stepping away from the green screen, Watts says that his curiosity and passion for learning will continue to serve him.
“I think the biggest thing over the years that I’ve learned is to never stop learning,” Watts said. “I’ve never wanted to be one of those people because I always feel like there’s something more that I can learn.
One of the most meaningful aspects of his job, Watts says, was sharing that knowledge with the next generation.
“The biggest thing that I have enjoyed over the years is teaching kids and being able to go visit schools over the years,” Watts said. “I’ve visited probably hundreds of schools during my time and met with thousands of kids of all ages. To be able to see their eyes light up when we do a really cool weather experiment or that moment where they understand something that they learned in class has been the most rewarding.”
Watts plans to continue to watch the weather but on his own time and as a hobby.
“I’ll be able to go watch storms more and observe them outside instead of being in the studio, which is going to be really cool,” Watts said. “While my main position is no longer a meteorologist on television, it’s one of those skills that you really nobody can take away from you.”
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