According to former WECT news director Raeford Brown, the former TV6 meteorologist moved to Louisville, Ky., in May to be near his brother.
George Elliott was with WECT from 1994 until Dec. 31, 2008, holding the weather chair through Hurricanes Bertha, Fran, Bonnie and Floyd. Before coming to Wilmington, the Chicago-area native worked for TV stations in Augusta, Ga., Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, Mich., San Angelo, Texas and Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was on the staff of The Weather Channel, 1986-1991, and served briefly with the National Weather Service in Montgomery, Ala., before moving to Wilmington.
In January, Elliott told me he was looking for opportunities outside broadcasting. According to the American Meteorological Society’s Web site, he’s let his “Broadcast Meteorologist certification lapse.”
Elliott literally wrote the book — or rather, a book — on predicting the weather: “Weather Forecasting: Rules, Techniques and Procedures,” published in 1988 by American Press. (You can still order it through Amazon.com.)
Noted for his distinctive voice and upbeat delivery, Elliott said he built his first weather station back in 1969, in his bedroom at his parents’ house, when he was 10 years old.
Date posted: June 5, 2009
User-contributed question by:
Roy
Thanks for this update on George. I sure do miss him. He was one of the best (best actually) weathermen I’ve ever seen.
Thanks for the update on George..he is missed!
George and his quirky personality MADE the weather report both fun and intersting. It was never boring. I have never spoken to anybody who did not say they missed him !!
We will miss George too! He made the weather interesting to watch! We even named a frog in our yard “Elliot”…because he lets us know when it’s going to rain…starts singing raaaaiiiiiinnnn! Ha!
Good luck with your new endeavors George!
George is very much missed and the best ever!
Already it’s the beginning of hurricane season in Wilmington (and elsewhere), and I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to get through the next hurricane without George! Several years ago we packed up and went to my son’s home in Raleigh, NC to avoid (hurricane) Floyd, and I promised myself then that I would never go through another one without George. It just isn’t the same…. Yes, George is sorely missed, still. What a shock it was on New Year’s Eve to hear his parting comments!
We all miss George, He was a one of a kind, and very accurate in his weather predictions. We shall miss him this Hurricane Season for sure, He stayed up all night to report on the previous hurricanes, you could tell he was exhausted but he kept plodding on, Pity that Wect news couldn’t appreciate him for what he meant to us!
It’s not the same without him.
George Elliot was a fine meteorologist for the Wilmington area. He accurately predicted several hurricane strikes, as well as consistently provided accurate daily weather forecasts for all seasons.
Based on the the frequently innaccurate guesses of his predecessors and replacements, George had skill and talent for predicting the weather in the Wilmington region. Additionally, many school children have a high opinion of George and miss his visits to their classrooms.
George’s skill at accurately predict the weather made up for any other skills he may have lacked.
Best wishes to George. May he find another niche that he enjoys as much as he appeared to enjoy weather forecasting in Wilmington.
I am from southern California, but during Fran and Floyd that I experienced with my wife, Nancy, and her mother, George became the only true predictor of where the landing point would be. We stayed put despite his accuracy. In NC always have a generator handy. Nancy and I looked forward to going to Boliva NC, in part, would just to observe George’s honesty in action. He has left for the best reason, his family. He should not leave broadcasting, though. Let him know that at your station.
I WAS UNDER THE WEATHER FOR A WHILE AND ONLY WAS SEEING GEORGE SPORATICLY. ONE DAY I NOTICED HE WASN’T THERE. WHAT HAPPENED? NOW I KNOW.. HE HAD A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR. WOULD OFTEN E MAIL ME WEATHER FOR THE DAY EARLY IN THE MORNING. I WOULD E MAIL BACK A WAKKO RESPONSE, LIKE, IT IS RANNING SOUP IN HOLDEN BEACH. ALL I HAVE IS A FORK! HE REPLIED, “PULL THE BOWL UP TO YOUR LIPS.” WE ALL AT HOLDEN BEACH, THE FORGOTTEN BEACH, WISH GEORGE WELL…
BRING BACK GEORGE! The weathermen you have now are wet behind the ears!!
George will definitely be missed! I used to watch him in the 90s when the hurricanes were coming. Ken and Denise would get more & more tired the later it got but George’s energy seemed to swim in the opposite direction and he would get peppier and funnier. Thanks for going that extra mile and good luck on your future endeavors!
I have long been a fan of George. I loved to laugh with him–wished I could have ‘bought’ him at one of the bachelor auctions, just because he is so interesting. He is dearly missed and well remembered. The only channel worth watching, with the only meteorologist that had a high percentage of accuracy. When the storms were approaching, I would know whether or not it was safe to stay home. I was living in Raleigh during Fran. I even was working until midnight, the night she came in. Since living in Holly Ridge, I learned to rely on George’s accuracy. When to secure lawn furniture, move the vehicles to shelter, etc.
God Bless You, George.
Maggie
When I was a young mother living in Augusta, Georgia, George was my favorite weather man in Augusta. Later he went to the Weather Channel, and I moved home to Wilmington in 1985.
Imagine how happy I was that he came to WECT in 1994!! Over the years that followed, I learned that he was also devastatingly accurate with hurricane forcasting, and I came to depend on him, along with the entire community, during hurricanes.
Thank you so much, George–for informing and explaining the weather to me since I was in my 20s! You’re the best!!
I remember seeing George jogging every morning on Country Club Dr. in the shortest shorts on my way to school. He was the recipient of many, many drive-by shout-outs. Long Live George!
I was lucky enough to meet George in December 2008 just before he left the station, on my birthday. He was in Home Goods off College Rd and was wearing (in typical fashion) a pink knitted turtleneck sweater! He was very friendly and just as quirky in person as he was on the air. If I had known he would be leaving only a few weeks later I would have shaken his hand. We continue to watch WECT/WSFX where George worked, and I constantly say to my wife “I wonder where George is”…and now I know! Best of luck George!
I remember when George Elliott first came to WECT. I thought “dude is AWFUL” and that he may not last. But over time, I feel that he really grew into his role. I don’t live in Wilmington now but I visit from time to time. When I would come back to visit, I would always look forward to watching him on the weather and think “WOW, he’s come a long way!!!!!” LONG LIVE GEORGE ELLIOTT!!!!!!
George was on Kalamazoo tv about 25 (?) years ago and was probably best known for saying something about “it’s like the moon does a big slam dunk ” or something or other . It seems to me a few days later they had a write up about him in the Kalamazoo newspaper , mainly because so many people were talking of his anology (?) of what was happening that night.. I don’t remember how long he was in Kalamazoo , but he was really a love him or hate him figure . I thought he was great . I was about 20 at the time and the only reason I watched the news back then was to see him . He was a big hit when he would go to schools . His name popped into my head the other night because I found a list of past channel 3 employees and he wasn’t on it . I wanted to contact the site and tell them to add George to their list but I couldn’t figure out how to contact anyone . I urge anyone that has an email address for George to post it . I would love to let him know that Kalamazoo remembers him well !
We have been going to myrtle beach twice a year for years now. What a shock this spring to not see George on wect! Really loved the guy, miss you George!
I used to visit Myrtle Beach for years before I moved to Wilmington 4 years ago. George was always the bright spot on the news. I loved his sense of humor and his way with words. He had a way of handling the in between and stiff moments on air with a healthy dose of reality and wit. His weather news was on spot and he would tell you iwhen it was the same boring stuff or when it was , well, wide open. I miss him and wish him good health and good weather.
Please get George back!!! I miss him.
What a great listing of testimonials to George! I miss him too. He was responsible for my wife agreeing to stay in our house at Carolina Beach when some hurricane was coming up the coast some few years ago. ( I forget the name of the storm ) I was able to convince her to stay, after we had left for three or four hurricanes prior to this one. George said that night that the storm would take an almost ninety degree right turn just before reaching the NC SE coast. We stayed, and it did, and thereafter I had the utmost confidence in his forcasts.
I think it would be real fine if he knew how much he is missed.
It’s funny how someone like George, who was the real deal with real talent, is a part of your life, and then he just disappears. I remember him bleary-eyed during a hurricane answering calls about how things were in different areas around Wilmington and zeroing in with his radar. I’ve never seen anything like it.
I’d like someone at the StarNews to follow up with him and find out what he’s up to.The whole story about Lexington KY just does not ring true to me. It’s not something that George would have predicted.
George was qualified, but it was time for him to move on. The current crew is much improved in personality, technology and presentation!
Who ever it was who said the current crew brings much more to the broadcast must work at the station cause they are CRAZY!! They are a bunch of idiots who don’t even have enough sense to look out the window.
George had something that I haven’t seen any weather man have, common sense. When George said it would rain, it would! All the forecasters now only know how to look at computer models which never seem to be right!!1
I miss George, you may not of liked his ways, but he was one heck of a weatherman!!!! I don’t even watch the weather now because I can do a better job of predicting it!!1
I have never seen a better television weather man than George, in any market, for forecasting ability and on-air presence. He had a quirky honesty and true ability that made him a real star. I suspect that’s because he came up as a weather person, and not a TV person. .
Even after our children moved away, when a hurricane brewed and we were deciding to stay or go they would phone and ask, “Has George called it yet?” He is a weather whisperer. His talent (or psychic ability) is unmatched. From what we could glean in our last few conversations at the restaurant we frequented, he became unhappy with television and its particular demands. He was seeking something and we hope that he finds it and that it delights him.
Thanks for this column. It’s sorely needed.
At last.. Our burning question “where is george?” has been answered. We miss him every day. Thanks for the answer….
This guy is sorely missed. He was the only one that my wife and I would listen to. I don’t think the people in this area knew how lucky we were to have him.
It’s George! I’m actually in Louisville, not Lexington. Moved here to be near my brother. I truly miss the Wilmington area and people. I’d even come back if opportunities arise that might fit. In TV or out, you never know what could happen. Peace from Louisville!
My favorite George moment was at the end of a night newscast. The story was about a guy taking his mom to the prom because she never got to go. When they came back to George and Fran and Maybe Ken, George said, ” I hope he didn’t take her to any after parties.” Fran couldn’t stop laughing. That’s exactly why he’s still missed around here.
I’m glad to see you are doing well, i miss seeing you jogging off country club during my route.You are our hometown celebrity,and my kids always got excited seeing you around town.
George:
So you’re in Louisville. I’d love to know why you left Wilmington.
I think George has met the fate of so many of our loved locals. The COME HERES come here because they want a better way of life, then they try to change things to make it like where they are from. George was a little different and anything different we have to get rid of. May he live in joy forever.
Oh George, we know you must be reading this. Please let your watchers know you’re doing okay these days. Watching the weather just isn’t the same anymore without your quirky humor and charm.
According to George, he did not want to leave WECT. He really was great. Too bad WECT didn’t agree.
Bring back George!
GEORGE!!!!!
I was sooooo happy to see that you wrote in!! I kept looking for your name-I knew it would be there!!! Good Luck with whatever you do-WE MISS YOU!!!!
George, glad to see you are keeping touch with us . We love your quirky sense of humor and respect your professionalism. You are now in my hometown of Louisville. I hope you enjoy it there. There’s no ocean, but the good ol’ quirky Ohio is there. Best of luck!
I was so glad to see George had been on here. I think of him often. His Fans truely miss him. Glad that he is doing OK. Hope he keeps us posted on how he’s doing. I would LOVE to see George back. He was just wonderful to watch. But I wish you well in whatever you do George. And who knows. We may see you again my dear friend.
Almost a year has gone by and we all still miss George. I would love to see him back in Wilmington. I know alot of people would rest easier during hurricane season if he was here! It was uncanny how accurate his forecasts were. Miss you bunches George! Hope all is well in Louisville!
George, I wish one of the two local stations realize what an assert you truly are.. I have stopped watching WECT since you have left. There are plenty of other locals that feel the same way, I know that their rating have dropped (big time) No one ever hit the stroms right on like you . With hurricane season approching I wish you were still here.. We could always count on you and we always did..
Maybe someone will open their eyes… and you will be asked to come back..
Good luck, George
Even today we miss George.
I was so impressed by George when I first moved here in 2001 that I considered starting a fan site dedicated to him on the web. He was always very friendly when ever I saw him around town. I loved his quirkiness!
We have owned a home in the Wilmington area for 15 years but live in Greensboro. George was simply the BEST. Greensboro certainly has no one like him. We had suddenly realized he was just gone and have wondered what happened and where he was….so glad to know he is well but WECT must be nuts. He was truly their shinning star, don’t know what they are looking for but someone there made a very bad decision. George, you are missed.
Okay, WECT, now we have a Cat 4 hurricane, Earl, off the coast. Call George and hire him back. The young boy you hired is okay for a spring rain but if you guys are serious about weather we need the real deal! Yeah, I know George is a strange dude, so was Einstein, it goes with knowing a lot.