ABC11 Announces Retirement Of Chief Meteorologist Chris Hohmann And Anchor Tisha Powell

DURHAM, NC – Two longtime members of the ABC11 family are retiring this year. With a combined incredible 47 years at the station, Chief Meteorologist Chris Hohmann and Anchor Tisha Powell will depart this summer.

Chris Hohmann

Hohmann joined ABC11 in 1991 as a meteorologist and became chief in 2007. President and general manager Rob Elmore announced on Thursday that Hohmann’s last day would be Friday, May 28.

“In an area known for its fast-changing weather conditions, Chris has always been the calm, friendly presence in the middle of the storm,” Elmore said. “Chris was one of the very first to earn advanced accreditation from the American Meteorological Society. He ushered in the modern era of forecasting weather and tracking storms with advanced weather models and the most powerful Doppler Radar. Chris is a skilled forecaster, a wonderful storyteller, and an even better person. Our viewers and all of us at ABC11 will miss him very much. We wish Chris a happy and healthy retirement.”

“After nearly 30 years at ABC 11, it’s hard to put into words how full my heart is,” Hohmann said. “To be able to move from the weekend weather to the morning show and then to evenings has been a dream come true. And I’ve been so fortunate to work with and learn from so many talented people along the way, including Larry Stogner.”

He has covered many of the region’s biggest weather events, including the Snowstorm of 2000, The Ice Storm of 2002, and hurricanes Fran, Floyd, and Florence. In April 2011, Hohmann warned of the dangerous front heading toward the region, which became North Carolina’s worst tornado disaster in history.

On that day, he reported on-air for a record of more than 12 hours.

Hohmann said he looks forward to this new chapter in life and spending more time with his family “but will always look back on (his) years with ABC11 and The Walt Disney Company with love and gratitude.”

Tisha Powell

Tisha Powell joined the Eyewitness News team in 2004. She has co-anchored Eyewitness News at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. with Steve Daniels as well as the 10 p.m. newscast on CW22. Elmore announced on Thursday that her last day on air will be June 30.

She shared the following message to the ABC11 staff:

A little over 16 years ago, I arrived at RDU airport with my mom by my side and a 3-year-old toddler in tow. My husband, James, an Army captain at the time, was serving a year-long deployment to Iraq. I had no idea what our journey to North Carolina would bring or how long our time here would last. James and I were just looking for a home for our family that was military friendly and would allow both our careers to flourish. That’s exactly what we were lucky enough to find here in the Triangle and so much more … I just want to say “thank you” to my wonderful coworkers who have always been there to see me through the tough times and have also helped to celebrate the many happy milestones over the years. And to the loyal ABC11 viewers who have welcomed me into their homes every night, I couldn’t be more grateful. In June, I will be rounding out a 25-year career in TV news. I will continue serving our viewing area until my time here ends this summer.

Powell is retiring from broadcasting to return home to Louisiana.

“I remember how excited I was to recruit Tisha in 2004, and I am so grateful that our community and our news team shared 17 great years with her. She represents the best of ABC11,” Elmore said. “We have always known that Louisiana has a special place in Tisha’s heart, and we will miss her daily presence in our lives. While we are sad to see her go, we understand and wish Tisha and her family good health and happiness always.”

During her time at ABC11, Powell covered the devastation caused to New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, reported on the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia and the Carolina Panthers’ trip to Super Bowl 50, and interviewed influential people including first lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

ABC11 will celebrate the legacy of these two esteemed newscasters leading up to their departures.