Tim Haithcock – The Storm Shepherd of Franklin County

Faith in God is my foundation, and serving my community is my passion.

That single sentence sums up the life and calling of Timothy E. Haithcock, known to many across Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee as the voice behind Franklin County Weather with Tim Haithcock—or simply, “The Storm Shepherd.”

Born in 1968 in Russellville, Alabama, Tim has spent a lifetime deeply rooted in faith, family, and public service. A proud graduate of Phil Campbell High School (Class of ’87), he earned certifications in Firemanship and Emergency Medical Services. Tim is a retired Volunteer Firefighter and EMT-Basic, with credentials from the Alabama Fire College, the National Registry of EMTs, and FEMA’s Incident Command and Response systems.

Tim currently serves as Safety Officer with the Paden Fire and Rescue Department, Station 35, in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. In this role, he provides real-time logistical weather support to the department and its members. He also manages the department’s weather content on social media, using education and accurate information to help protect the community they serve.

But Tim’s calling didn’t stop with first response—it expanded into storm spotting, digital ministry, and livestream-based weather coverage. He now serves as Chairman of the Board and Chaplain for the Storm Trooper Network, and as Chaplain for the Alabama Storm Troopers.

A Registered Advanced SKYWARN Spotter, Tim holds multiple certifications from NWS Huntsville, NWS Birmingham, and MetEd. Leading by example from his home-based weather command center—nicknamed Studio 103—Tim is always ready to serve, with a deep passion for keeping folks safe when the skies turn violent.

A Ministry Through Weather, Words, and Lens

Tim's life took a powerful turn in 2018 when he was baptized at Branches Church in Russellville. His faith began to guide not only his personal walk but also his public calling. When COVID-19 shut church doors across the country, Tim helped open new ones—launching livestreams, building digital ministry tools, and photographing church events to keep the congregation connected and encouraged.

Through his Facebook group, God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, & Photography, Tim uses nature photography and visual storytelling to reflect the beauty of God’s creation. Inspired by the legacy of Russ Busby (Billy Graham’s photographer), Tim taught himself every aspect of the craft—from camera work to editing with Adobe Lightroom. Today, he captures everything from VBS moments to weather warnings—each photo a frozen moment of God’s grace and purpose.

Franklin County Weather with Tim Haithcock (FCWXTH)

From humble Facebook posts after Wednesday night church to now being listed as a NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador™, Tim’s weather coverage has grown into a full-blown community service mission. His platform:

• 📍 Covers 25 core counties across Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee
• 📡 Livestreams significant weather events from Studio 103
• ⚠️ Shares NWS alerts, SPC storm reports, radar analysis, and faith-based encouragement
• ❤️ Operates with a servant’s heart: “Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stay safe.”

Whether he’s alerting locals to tornado warnings, capturing storm damage via drone, or offering post-storm reflections with Scripture, Tim threads his faith through every forecast. His briefings are grounded, reliable, and unshakably purpose-driven.

Ongoing Education & Equipping the Saints

Currently enrolled at Christian Leaders Institute, Tim is expanding his ministry training and biblical knowledge to better serve his church, followers, and broader online community. He is also a graduate and coordinator of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, helping others steward their lives wisely—not just in storms, but in everyday life decisions.

Legacy in Motion

With three grandchildren and three grown children, Tim Haithcock is a family man whose legacy is built on faith, resilience, and a desire to give back. Whether behind a camera, at the radar screen, or livestreaming church services, he continues to shepherd his community with humility, integrity, and the firm belief that every moment—every cloud, every storm, every photo—is an opportunity to glorify God.

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.” – Colossians 3:23 (NASB)