With another extreme weather event hitting the United States in the form of Hurricane Ida, it’s that time again when poor weather reporters are seen outside getting battered by the elements.
And at the age of 67, viewers are concerned about NBC weatherman Al Roker, who was seen dealing with strong waves on the coast of New Orleans on the network’s Meet The Press programme on Sunday.
150mph winds were reported when the storm made landfall later that day, causing New Orleans homes to lose power and making it a category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The rating means “catastrophic damage will occur”, with the possibility for “well-built framed homes” sustaining “severe damage” as trees fall and power poles are struck down.
BBC News reports that one person has died after a tree hit their home in Louisiana’s capital city, Baton Rouge.
In a statement on Sunday, US President Joe Biden described the storm as “life-threatening”, adding that “we shouldn’t kid ourselves”.
“This is going to be … a devastating hurricane, a life-threatening storm. So, please, all you folks in Mississippi - and in Louisiana, Mississippi, and, God knows, maybe even further east - take precautions.
“Listen. Take it seriously — really, very seriously,” he said.
Given the very real threat of Hurricane Ida, people were concerned to see Roker out there braving the storm to report on it:
Al Roker is almost 70 years old, why is this necessary https://t.co/mXw6VaQXzp
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 29, 2021
this how they be having Al Roker pic.twitter.com/dg8p7lF7jd
— chicken man with a camera (@not10derzz) August 29, 2021
Al roker is 67 lmao nbc doing him dirty pic.twitter.com/XAnO939Pjc
— jw (@iam_johnw2) August 29, 2021
Afghanistan is complicated, tragic, and divisive. So let’s welcome the opportunity to unanimously condemn NBC for endangering Al Roker. So reckless and irresponsible.
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) August 29, 2021
Why y'all send Al Roker old ass to the middle of that hurricane? My momma called me about it and everything
— America Is Musty (@DragonflyJonez) August 29, 2021
Get 67-year-old Al Roker out of the hurricane. pic.twitter.com/TGnCVzykE0
— Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) August 29, 2021
For the love of gawd stop sending reporters and Al Roker into deadly storms that people have evacuated for safety to do disaster theater and turn people's real trauma into entertainment. https://t.co/rmY3HQeSVr
— Erin Biba (@erinbiba) August 29, 2021
WTF are they doing to @alroker https://t.co/oYmg5LWcQQ
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 29, 2021
Yet, speaking to The Sunday Show’s Jonathan Capehart later that day, the weatherman brushed off fears from those online, saying the news package was “one of these things”.
“Folks on Twitter were, ‘first of all, why is NBC putting him out there?’ I volunteered to come out here. This is what I do.
“I’ve done this for 40 years … We all make sure we’re safe. We’re not going to do something that puts ourselves in harm’s way.”
He then turned to those who said that he is “too old” to be out covering severe storms for the news programme.
“Well, hey, guess what? Screw you, okay?
“Try to keep up. Keep up, okay?
“These young punks. I will come after them. I will drop them like a bag of dirt,” Roker joked, as Capehart burst into laughter.
People have since responded to the broadcaster’s remarks, heaping praise on Roker for his comments:
My apologies Al. I joined the pile on about your safety, and frankly it's none of my damn business. You ho on doing what you love & I'll just sit back & be impressed as hell.
— TheGourmetDiva (@diva_gourmet) August 29, 2021
Stay safe ❤
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) August 29, 2021
🤣listen up😜 young punks!! Not Al with the ”I will drop them like a bag of dirt” hahahahh LOVE AL! Looks like my dad’s brother.
— Lindiwe Suttle Müller-Westernhagen (@lindiwesuttle) August 29, 2021
@alroker is a rare and special breed of journalists who can and will do what he needs to do while younger journalists cower at his might and bravery. Love ya, man!
— Canadianmouse (@Canadianmouse2) August 29, 2021
Al Roker wins the internet today
— elizabeth (@blueskyloves99) August 29, 2021
Isn't it grand when your knowledge reputation and body of work allows you the freedom to tell all trolls to KMA.
— Ken Garrett (@KenGarrettZ) August 29, 2021
However, despite the presenter’s reassurances that him and his team are safe when covering the extreme weather event, some still criticised the reporting:
I will never understand the need for television journalists to stand outside in bad weather just to prove there is bad weather. Stop putting these people danger, regardless of their age.
— Steven (@StevenMartens23) August 29, 2021
It’s not that Al Roker is too old to be out there...it’s that NO ONE should be out there. It’s dangerous for him and whatever crew is out there with him. I hate watching people put themes in dangerous situations and if Al can be out there, well, so can I!
— rubybegonia (@rubybegonia14) August 29, 2021
it's not the age, it's the irresponsibility of telling people they needed to evacuate and then going out and standing in an oncoming storm. It's stupid and unecessary no matter how old he is.
— boredsuburbanmom (@mamagrumpypants) August 29, 2021
"We're not going to do something that will put ourselves in harms way"...stands in the middle of a category 4 hurricane storm surge.😏
— Linda Castro (@TxLynnsa) August 29, 2021
Cool. Still unnecessary. I would feel the same way if he was 27. We have eyes. The sideways rain, crashing waves, flooding roads and bending trees are a good indicator. Be safe out there Al!
— SBINAWYL (@BobbyJr66) August 29, 2021
Roker also took to Twitter himself in an attempt to calm people’s worries, showing a video of him emptying his boots of water and writing that it was “part of the job”.
“My crew and I were safe and we are back at our hotel and … for those who think I’m too old to be doing this, try and keep up,” his post read.
