Hurricane Earl

[Mr. DS]

It was simply weak.  Like  most storms it was overblown in media coverage at least in my area.  I worry about stuff they don't cover to be honest.  Or if this guy reports it;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_z_7zUGjJc

[ulthar]

It was simply weak.  Like  most storms it was overblown in media coverage at least in my area.

Oh, yeah, they did that here, too.  My wife and children were on the news with video of them getting off the boat and walking on the dock.  There was no audio of it, because my wife was "fussing" at the children at the time.   

Another station's report interviewed our slip mates.  I did not see the coverage, but this morning, she told me that it was crazy how in edit for broadcast, they made her out to look like some sort of thrill junky (I guess because she was staying on her boat and not "running for her life!").  She's such a calm, mellow lady that 'thrill junky' is about the LAST words I'd use to describe her.

Finally, the poor junior reporter that got stuck here all Thursday night got my sympathy.  She had to stay out there, in the rain, until at least the wee hours (she was still there after 11:00 pm when I walked up to the marina club house); earlier, after talking to our Dockmaster and some of us boaters, she called her boss and asked if she could just go home, and they would not let her.

There really was NOTHING to report here...but they sure got hours of footage of boats sitting in their slips.   

All of this is why I don't fool with the local weather guys AT ALL for wx info...I go straight to the source (NOAA/NWS and the NHC for example).  If it's really serious stuff, I don't want showmanship designed to get ratings; I want information.

At the end of the day, though, I cannot help but wonder if all the hype is a HUGE disservice if not incredible irresponsible.  When the storms do NOT live up to the expectations of doom and gloom in the minds of the viewers, what will be the response next time?  Are these reporters breeding complacency that will eventually get people hurt?

Anyway, glad it worked out for you, DS.

[ulthar]

Well, a tree fell in our backyard and our powers out till tomorrow. This sucks 

At least no one got hurt.

Sorry to hear, that Skull.  Good luck for a fast return to normalcy up there.  I was wondering how things were that far North...I had not heard any reports from your neck-o-the-woods yet.