Reporters brave stormy danger
NEW YORK: It’s a paradox of hurricane coverage: people on television spend days warning the public to get out of harm’s way, then station their correspondents squarely in the middle of howling wind and rain and hope they don’t get hurt.
That was the case throughout Sunday’s gripping coverage of Hurricane Irma’s assault on Florida.
Networks brought their top teams in for special coverage, nonstop on news channels.
Yet when a huge tree limb crashed to the ground behind NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez, forcing him to scurry away, it illustrated the danger many journalists faced.
Network executives were one projectile away from a tragedy that would have them facing hard questions about whether they were prioritising TV ratings above common sense and public safety.
Several journalists sought the relative security of building balconies that blocked some of the wind or, like NBC’s Kerry Sanders, a concrete parking garage.
Yet many felt they couldn’t truly convey the storm’s power without showing themselves getting buffeted by the elements.
The rain “seem like it’s getting shot through a fire hose at you,” said CNN’s Chris Cuomo, assigned to Naples, Florida.
NBC’s Miguel Almaguer had a yellow tow line, one end wrapped around his waist and the other around a concrete pillar, to steady him as he did a live shot.
ABC’s Gio Benitez also employed a rope as he stood on a balcony. CNN’s Kyung Lah gripped a metal railing.
Other correspondents frequently struggled to keep their footing.
NBC’s Jo Ling Kent seemed fearless walking around Miami Beach.
CBS’ Elaine Quijano spied some debris blowing her way, proving only to be some palm fronds.
The wind blew The Weather Channel’s Mike Bettes four or five steps as he stood outside in Naples.
But for a nerdy meteorologist, there was a payoff when he spotted a glimpse of the sun as the hurricane’s eye passed over him.
“After getting beaten and bruised and battered, there is the eye,” he said. “That is nice.”
Fox News Channel’s Steve Harrigan got the assignment to stand in a hurricane on his birthday.
“I’m sorry for people out here who are scared. We’re not scared. I just consider it a technical challenge trying to stay up and to stand here.” — AP
We’re not scared. I just consider it a technical challenge trying to stay up .
Chrus Cuomo