Evacuate or stay indoors was the general advice given to Florida’s residents ahead of Hurricane Irma. Many packed up their cars or sought refuge at home but, there was one particular group of people who remained.
It seems it is a rite of passage for every TV journalist and meteorologist to venture out into the elements during the midst of a wild storm. Live broadcasts are often met with wind-swept hair, drenched parkas and soaked microphones, as journalists attempt to maintain composure and report to camera.
Dramatic footage posted on Twitter on Monday shows CNN’s Chris Cuomo braving torrential rain and howling winds in his coverage of Hurricane Irma from Naples, Florida.
CNN’s @BillWeirCNN gets slammed in Key Largo by #HurricaneIrma’s wind gusts as the storm’s eyewall reaches the Florida Keys pic.twitter.com/OHYwQ7TdT7
— CNN (@CNN) September 10, 2017
Chris Cuomo battling Irma's full force in Naples. Peak gust 142 mph at 4:35 pm https://t.co/SBp2cjLCIK pic.twitter.com/Gv1IjMAQij
— CNN Weather Center (@CNNweather) September 10, 2017
His experience is not unique. We are all too familiar with a live cross to a soggy journalist reporting against the backdrop of a ferocious storm. Hurricane Irma was no exception, with many videos emerging on social media of meteorologists and reporters a like, battling the unthinkable.
@SimonStormRider getting wind measurements out in the eyewall as well. Got a 117 mph wind gust. pic.twitter.com/PVEPP8FbtB
— Juston Drake (@JustonStrmRider) September 10, 2017
The most infamous was Mike Seidel, a meteorologist for the Weather Channel, who got a little too close to the action during his coverage on Saturday afternoon.
Getting slapped by one of the early squalls from #Irma tonight in the Brickell section of #Miami. @stevedresner captures behind the scenes pic.twitter.com/6uXw51mGmB
— Mike Seidel (@mikeseidel) September 10, 2017
This is what the eyewall of Hurricane #Irma looks like. Watch The Weather Channel for continuing storm coverage. pic.twitter.com/7U7JzbVo3Z
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) September 10, 2017
#Miami is being pounded by wind and rain from #Irma. @mikeseidel has a look at the deteriorating conditions. pic.twitter.com/OQDgJxsWaQ
— AMHQ (@AMHQ) September 10, 2017
Social media has reacted to much of the wild reporting emerging from Hurricane Irma, with many describing coverage tactics as “unnecessary” and “life-threatening”.
Don't get me wrong, the work you do is incredibly helpful, but this is just begging for tragedy to happen.
— SUK 🚛 (@SUKnives) September 10, 2017
Who gave these storm reporters the idea that we need to see them standing in the storm? I believe you. Go inside #HurrcaneIrma
— Shawn Bonfine (@BonfineScience) September 10, 2017
Some however made light of the situation, no matter the weather.
Weather reporters be like... pic.twitter.com/XISHHyw74w
— Nicole (@nicolesanbornn) September 10, 2017
CNN weather reporters be like #HurrcaneIrma has finally hit land pic.twitter.com/6zDoZodgsA
— I Do Not care (@iamreal2017) September 10, 2017
