topic Re: Storm reporting in Community Chat

Storm reporting

bonnielu — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:47:12 GMT

I tuned in as many news programs as I could to see about the storm in N and S Carolina and beyond. I hear the words for everyone to evacuate.

Now for the question. Are the newscasters, weather reporters in harms-way? How do they get out and where do they stay. Seems they are also in danger and should not be broadcasting near the danger zones.

Makes me upset for them.

Re: Storm reporting

ItsME — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:57:01 GMT

@bonnielu I think the same thing. They do have others with them, and I assume they have some resources at their disposal, but there is only so much that can be done in dangerous conditions. I saw a reporter this morning with goggles on, and being severely buffeted by the wind. My neighbor died in a hurricane several years ago (she was actually inside her home, but standing next to a large sliding glass door, which blew in on her). And I recently had an Uber drive whose wife was killed in a different hurricane. They are not to be taken lightly.

Re: Storm reporting

seaBreeze — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:55:06 GMT

Sadly, it is all for ratings.

The WeatherChannel used a "weather girl" last night in NC to broadcast (she's about 120 lbs) ... I feared for her life). Cantori dropped his cell phone in the salt water standing on a pier as he was broadcasting (from the strong wind gusts). I noticed falling trees, and uprooted roadsigns on the flooded streets. This is so sad to put their employees at risk.

Re: Storm reporting

ItsME — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:59:03 GMT

I just heard one reporter saying that he has access to shelter when he needs it. But ....

Re: Storm reporting

GAQShopr53 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:00:50 GMT

@bonnielu I have been through many hurricanes and I think the weather people live to report these storms. This is just my observation...they seem to really enjoy reporting and the more dangerous the more they seem to enjoy...On the Gulf Coast there is a saying that if Jim Cantore or even Paul Goodloe from the weather channel show up the storm is going to be bad...You are right it is dangerous for them and I think they should not take so many chances in such dangerous and unpredictable weather. The good news is that I have not heard of one of them not making it out of the storm after reporting...just like the head hunters that fly into the eye of the storms to gather weather data/information...it's just part of the risk of the job!

Re: Storm reporting

dex — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:07:00 GMT

I think if reporters choose to be there then they must assume the risks.I feel sorry for the people who should have evacuated but couldn’t for financial or health or age related reasons.I feel sorry for the first responders who must remain to protect those who couldn’t or didn’t get out of harms way.

Re: Storm reporting

Laura14 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:08:25 GMT

My sister was a tv reporter. The safety of the reporters is paramount (OSHA aplies to them too) and they do book them in hotels that remain open usually to accommodate the storm evacuees as well.

They must have the permission of the local law enforcement to be there and they usually have the names and numbers of those first responders not only for tips and information to report but also to direct the local responders to any developing situation they see if necessary.

In some areas, people will actually call the news before they ever call 911. It's a partnership but they are there only by the permission of the local authorities who make the final call as to who can be where at any given time.

Re: Storm reporting

happycat — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:09:37 GMT

It always makes me nervous when I see them out and the weather is obviously bad. I'm sure we have all see reporters outside reporting when weather is bad, and seen debris flying past them or around them....its just not good.

I noticed on GMA this morning, Amy and Ginger were both outside, it seems like another female reporter was outside too reporting on this and Michael and George were reporting from inside the studio.

Re: Storm reporting

Topaz Gem — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:16:22 GMT

I don’t think non-stop coverage is necessary. I turned on a cable news channel this morning when I woke up and they weren’t even reporting regular news; instead it was only about the storm and there wasn’t much to say. They do the same thing during blizzards. If they checked in every so often with a reporter on the scene, that would be plenty.

Re: Storm reporting

cherry — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:18:43 GMT

I think that Jim Cantore is a bit of a dare devil/thrill seeker and loves what he does. He is a great guy, but ,I don't think anyone makes him do a thing he doesn't want to

Re: Storm reporting

chrystaltree — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:20:23 GMT

They are in a little danger when they are standing outside trying to get that perfect shot for ratings but other than that, they have those huge vans that are made specifically to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at them. They are in those vans most of the time.

Re: Storm reporting

Laura14 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:26:25 GMT

@chrystaltree Unless there is something new on the market, actually they are not allowed to be in those vans during thunderstorms because of the lightning. Satellite trucks believe it or not are lightning rods because of the extension equipment they carry.

They can't extend the satellite arm anyway in that kind of wind. It would tip the van over. There is actually a safety class all reporters go through when they go out in those vans because of the extra danger.

Re: Storm reporting

proudlyfromNJ — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:30:09 GMT

This is what meteorologist do. The weather is a career for them. It is what they chose to do.

As far as local weather people, they only have the one reporting in front of the camera, but have a small crew near them. They usually stay in a local hotel that agrees to put them up.

I grew up near an area that was always stormy and flooded during hurricanes and this was how the news crew worked.

Re: Storm reporting

goldensrbest — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:45:09 GMT

Part of their jobs, and ratings.

Re: Storm reporting

bonnielu — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:46:49 GMT

I love rain. My mother never let me play outside in it like the other neighborhood kids did. To this day I will go out and stand in driving rain. (I dare not drive in it however)

But as I said before what is coming now is risky for these weathercasters. Not a good idea and something could happen. Why tempt fate.

Re: Storm reporting

CelticCrafter — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:47:37 GMT

There isn't enough money in the world that would make me want to be out reporting out in that weather.

I'd quit my job if it was a requirement.

Re: Storm reporting

happycat — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:48:54 GMT

Very rarely have I seen these people reporting from inside a weather van. They are usually outside in the elements.

And its not just meteorologists that do this, it is people who are news reporters.

Re: Storm reporting

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:53:18 GMT

Ginger Zee addressed that issue this morning on GMA. She said she that her safety and the safety of the crew is paramount to her. They are somewhere in NC that has been in existence for 100 years and has withstood many hurricanes so they all felt very safe.

There was a guy broadcasting from a station in New Bern, NC that took the direct hit and when it got really bad, he said live on air that he needed to get out and walked off the set and out of the station.

There is no van that can withstand the winds or is immune to high water/flooding. LOL

Re: Storm reporting

Financialgrl — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:19:06 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:
I love rain. My mother never let me play outside in it like the other neighborhood kids did. To this day I will go out and stand in driving rain. (I dare not drive in it however)

But as I said before what is coming now is risky for these weathercasters. Not a good idea and something could happen. Why tempt fate.

@bonnielu- Yep, I'm in the DC area and one of our local weather guys was in New Bern, wrapped up his story and walking across the street back to the hotel they were staying and just as he got to the motel door the motel sign blew out and shattered into pieces and the camera guy stood in the door entrance to capture that. The whole way back to the hotel the meteorologist said he didn't like turning his back away from the storm bc too much stuff was breaking free and blowing.

Re: Storm reporting

viva923 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:29:57 GMT

ratings for station is what keeps these broadcasters there in harms way.