Question about Jim Cantore

[caribepr]

Reporters, meteorologists, the camera crew; all of them have studied how to address the situation in the middle of a storm. You look at the situation from a "worst case scenerio" standpoint. I have covered many hurricanes in which I didn't feel safe. A storm is unpredictable, every time. However, measures are taken to keep the crew safe out in the field; as were mentioned too in this thread. When you are working with million dollar equipment and human life, you better understand your surroundings better than the "Average Joe" on the street. That is what schooling is for; to use in real life events. The background knowledge, the scientific knowledge, and the personal experience; I call this "training." There are some reporters I know, none of which work at our organization, that shouldn't be on-site covering a hurricane. You cannot stop random debris or the power of the wind, but you can be prepared and trained for how to handle such situations if they arise. All of it is a guessing game. You board the plane or van to travel to your destination, and you guess at whether you will return. You listen to the wind and rain outside your hotel room, and you guess at whether your roof will fly off. It's all a guessing game, even when you cover the hurricane. There are forecasts, paths, and predictions. In the end, a storm has a mind of its own. We have discovered that in years past, and we have certainly noticed that this year. Again, chasing the storm is not for the faint of heart. Before each broadcast, the crew gathers for a prayer. We don't know the outcome; we can only prepare for whatever happens in the field.

Okay...I think I've got it. Some work to get jobs as professional storm chasers, following them with the same high and passion as a mountain climber (think the 7), or any extreme sport. They know the risks, and get paid to do it in front of millions of viewers who think they are watching the weather person taking life risks to fuel his or her fire, but somehow, in our culture, almost becoming a *hero* by doing so (more stuff I don't get) with huge exposure (pun unintended but I like it), along with fame.
Or a bunch of people who think - pure stupid dumb and an example for others that, in their *ignorance* of the assumed caveat "Don't try this at home, folks" act the same way and get sometimes get killed.
Thank you. I really do have an insight now that I was unaware of, and I mean that seriously. It still is reckless and without forethought to consequences to others, in my opinion, but the why question is answered.

[Storm Chaser]

Why do people jump out of perfectly good airplanes? Why do people hike thousands of feet into the air? Why do people dive into the oceans of the world to study one of nature's most dangerous beasts? Why do people stand outside in Cat 4 hurricanes? Sometimes, there is just that "it" factor. It's the little voice in your head that says, "I'm tough enough to handle it." Until proven otherwise, many people do indeed believe they are truly invincible. Once as a boy, I jumped off of our roof. My action wasn't the result of a dare. It was the result of a young boy's curiosity to see what would happen when my feet hit the ground. I knew the dangers, but I still jumped off of the roof. You can't always explain why people do what they do in life. I can't even explain it. Take care.

[azskyman]

In my view, there are a lot of news reporters who know little about weather as a science who use its power and unpredictable risk to help them in their personal careers and assist their network stations in their ratings. An obvious case in point was Greta Van Susteren reporting on the impending death and destruction to come in Houston.

The OCM's at TWC have something going for them that the others do not. They have an appreciation for the elements and an understanding of their reference point relative to the levees, the wind fields, the pressure changes, and the overall scope of the storms themselves.

That does not mean they are not at risk, but it does mean that their scientific perspective is incorporated into their reporting.

Jim Cantore did a commendable job of relating credible information in a tone that makes clear what the risks either are or aren't.

In a message I got from him since the storm, he simply said something to the effect, "If you want to get old fast, try reporting on these kinds of storms."

He insisted, however, that he is geared up and ready for whatever comes next.

[arkess7]

uggggg........greta yea shes pretty annoying

[tornadochaser86]

ya hes always placed where the storms gonna hit the worst lol

[tornadochaser86]

ya hes always placed where the storms gonna hit the worst lol