TOMBALL, Texas – The national news media crowned him Houston’s newest celebrity during Hurricane Harvey, and making one of his first speaking appearances since the hurricane, Harris County Flood Control District Meteorologist Jeff Linder will present on Nov. 16 at Lone Star College-Tomball in Room N103 at 11 am.
“He will be here to speak about Hurricane Harvey,” said LSC-Tomball Professor Patrick Gilbert, coordinator of the event sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement and LSC-Tomball Eco Club. “Jeff was a familiar and reassuring voice during Hurricane Harvey. We are honored that he has agreed to come to LSC-Tomball to discuss what happened and what is being done for the future.”
As the events of Hurricane Harvey unfolded, the 35-year-old Lindner calmly updated millions via televised news conferences and Twitter posts about rising water levels in bayous and reservoirs.
In fact, he worked so hard that on Aug. 31, Houstonian Blake Ford set up a GoFundMe campaign to send him on a vacation. The initial goal was set at $4,000. However, funds topped more than $21,000.
According to ReadyHarris.org, Lindner responded to the generosity of Houstonians on Sept. 2 saying he contacted Ford and thanked him for creating the page, but decided to give the money to charity. As a government employee, Linder cannot accept gifts over $100.
But public admiration for Linder didn’t stop with the GoFundMe campaign. On social media, his Twitter following exploded, going from 2,000 followers to more than 19,000 followers in a matter of days. In fact, one Twitter follower posted during his Hurricane Harvey updates that Lindner was her “new crush.” “Love me a smart man who is steady in a crisis,” she wrote.
Lindner, a married father of two, earned a degree in meteorology at Texas A&M University. He started at the Harris County Flood Control District as an intern in 2003 before coming on full-time a year later.
Lone Star College-Tomball is located at 30555 Tomball Parkway, at the intersection of SH 249 and Zion Road. For more information about the college, call 281.351.3300 or visit LoneStar.edu/Tomball.
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Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education/career training programs to more than 83,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.