Ahead Of The Storm: Bobby Payne Retires

News 9 Storm Tracker Bobby Payne has enjoyed tracking storms over the years for News 9.

He said, “I can’t believe it’s been 26 years. It has gone by so far but it’s been the greatest experience I’ve ever done.”

But just like Marty Logan did a year ago, Bobby said it’s time for him to retire. He says he remembers his first day of chasing storms for News 9 back in 1995.

He said, “It was June 8, 1995. Back in those days all we had was a weather radio, a bag phone and a paper map. A tornado appeared out of the rain and it was huge. I proved myself and here 26 years later I’m like ‘wow.’”

Bobby has seen more tornadoes than he can count over the years, while also tracking wildfires as well as ice and snow storms. All of it, he did for one purpose.

Bobby said, “It’s all about keeping people safe when storms strike.”

He added, “There was one time I was gassing up at a gas station and a boy, probably about 7,8, 9 years old came up to me and said ‘Thank you for keeping me safe in the storm.’ I will never forget that.”

It’s being there to keep people safe that makes it so tough for him to retire.

We appreciate the dedication Bobby has carried out into the field for all of these years.