Alumni Spotlight - Jim Flowers '72

Jim Flowers ‘72

For some its clubs, others athletics, maybe a specific teacher, but for Jim Flowers it was three classes that laid the foundation for his future career. 

Before becoming a meteorologist and working for all three major news affiliates in Omaha, Nebraska, Jim Flowers was an Elyria Catholic student with a significant interest in his Advanced Biology, Physical science that included meteorology, and art class his freshman year

Upon graduation from Elyria Catholic in 1972, Jim began his college education at Lorain County Community College and later transferred to Penn State, where he was a member of the Campus Weather service providing weather forecasts to radio stations and even updating his dorm floor with snow forecasts.

Initially starting his career in South Carolina, it would later be Omaha that Jim and his wife, Barb, would call home and start a family of their own. During his time on air, wearing a flower became his trademark. After a contest at his first Omaha station, KETV, he agreed to wear any flower that was sent in during May sweeps. The flowers were judged at the end of the sweeps for the best one and the winner received a riding lawn mower!

For nearly 40 years as a meteorologist, his hard work and success did not go unnoticed and Jim was the recipient of many distinguished awards. He received the Nebraska Broadcasters association Gold Award for “When the Siren Sounds” in which he co-produced a 30-minute program on severe weather. He was also nominated for the Iris Award by the national association of TV executives. After leading the cooperative program, WeatherSchool where Jim went to schools and taught meteorology lessons and did experiments, he was awarded the Nebraska Education Award. 

In 2003, Jim chased and reported live on the storm that produced the 2^nd largest hailstone in the U.S. in Aurora, Nebraska. It remains largest based on circumference coming in just under 19 inches. Not long after in 2004, he then chased and reported live on the 2^nd largest tornado ever recorded in the U.S. that hit Hallam, Nebraska.

Jim says being elected into the Omaha Press Club journalists of excellence Hall of Fame in 2016 is his greatest honor. He says it was quite an accomplishment for someone with no formal training in broadcasting or journalism.

Since retiring, Jim enjoys time with his wife, and fishing and hunting. Jim and Barb recently returned to Elyria Catholic for his 50th class reunion!