Taking A Stand: Weather reporters aren’t that smart
Who do you have to cheese off to get the live hurricane assignment on The Weather Channel?
I’m as adventure loving as the next guy, but I think I’d have to draw the line at making myself a tackling dummy for Mother Nature like the coverage team for Hurricane Katrina. There’s a gray line which separates heroism from lunacy and these guys have clearly crossed it.
“Yes Nancy, it’s hard to stand up and the rain feels like little needles digging into my face,” responded one on-scene reporter while getting slammed by hurricane force winds Monday morning while wearily glancing off camera to make sure he wasn’t about to get whacked by a flying Toyota.
You know, if it were me, I say shoot the stupid footage out the window. I think most people get the idea wind from a hurricane will blow you over without having to see some poor smoe battered by wind and rain while holding his hat on.
And, by the way, why wear a hat in a 100 mph wind? This isn’t NASCAR. We don’t need constant reminders of the sponsor.
Of course, my main pet peeve is the anchor people, sitting in their nice dry studio 1,000 miles away from the storm, calmly asking questions and keeping the on-scene guy talking when you can tell he wants to run for cover.
“Is the wind blowing where you are,” asks the anchorwoman, her make-up perfect, not a hair out of place as she talks to the on-scene guy who is propping himself up against a fallen tree. “It looks like you’re uncomfortable.”
Well duh, Bambi. It’s a hurricane. If you’re so worried about Bob then perhaps you should stop trying to get your on-camera time and let him head for shelter.
But then the on-scene people are sometimes equally as shallow, making pronouncements which I guess they feel are pieces of wisdom.
Let’s see, how many times did I hear the words, “You need to seek shelter and stay inside” during the hurricane coverage? Ummm, right. Cancel the picnic plans at the beach and bring in the cat.
This warning is coming from some guy who’s standing outside in the midst of the storm, who, likely is the only one without enough sense to come in out of the rain. The whole idea of meeting my end by being impaled by a flying street sign is enough to keep me tucked away in my lodging, many miles to the north of the hurricane zone.
Never mind that riding out the storm thing. If someone wants to steal my old sofa and Sony television, let ’em because I’m heading north in a hurry.
Come on, only someone with a death wish, or those working for The Weather Channel, would actually venture out into something like Katrina. Also, chances are, anyone in the hurricane is without power, so the telecasts are pretty well for the benefit of those of us outside the zone.
Folks, this isn’t a tornado, where it can spring up with little or no notice. This is a hurricane, as large almost as the entire Gulf of Mexico, a projected Category 5 hurricane with very little doubt of where it’s landing.
This is not one you try to ride out. It’s sure not one you try to venture out to get some camera-phone pics to send to your buddy in South Dakota.
In short, the on-scene guys should be given either free time with a mental expert or promotions for taking one for the team.
Duane Sherrill is a reporter for the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at news@southernstandard.com.