Last Updated on October 2, 2022 5:40 pm
WataugaRoads.com is proud to announce reaching nearly a half a million views in 2014 for the second consecutive year. In just two years WataugaRoads.com has reached nearly ONE MILLION views.
“For an independently owned and operated media outlet, I'm extremely proud of the continued growth of the site,” said Kenneth Reece, creator and owner of WataugaRoads.com. “Providing accurate and up-to-date information takes a lot of work and dedication, but with the support of locally-based business advertising support and viewer support, it makes it very rewarding,” adds Reece.
Among the highlights for 2014 was the introduction of mobile apps. With that announcement, WataugaRoads.com became the first High Country-based media outlet to introduce mobile apps across iOS and Android devices.
In September, WataugaRoads.com was named a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador for the High Country by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Weather Ready Ambassadors are formally recognized by NOAA as organizations committed to collaborating with NOAA, sharing preparedness messaging in outreach to the public, and serving as examples themselves by implementing resilience best practices.
Once again in 2014, the live camera feeds became the most visited page on the site. Introduced in early 2013, the feeds allow real-time views across the High Country simultaneously on one page.
The destruction of a High Country landmark became the most-viewed weather-related article in 2014, and site viewers also kept tabs on the changing conditions with the Fall Color Report, Appalachian State Weather Closing History, Watauga County Schools Weather Closings History, High Country Tornado Data, and High Country Earthquake History.
Real-time news updates of Avery County Sheriff Seeks Help With Missing Person, Winkler Hall Implosion, Escaped Prisoner Old 421/421 Area Deep Gap, the search and death of Appalachian State student, Anna Smith, were just a few of the most-viewed non-weather related articles.
Debuting in September 2011, WataugaRoads.com broke new ground in covering weather, road conditions, and news items for the High Country. Until then, no other locally-based outlet provided real-time information across the web, Facebook, and twitter.
New additions in 2015 have already included 5 additional radar views and visual maps of watches and warnings as they are issued.
