Lack of Media attention after landfall?

[Pebbles]

I noticed something yesterday and want everyone's take on it. About 1 or 2 hours after landfall I saw a HUGE decline on Media coverage. Noticed the Gov Bush had come on TV to answer a few questions and people were talking like the hurricane was over. This was while the NHC was still saying it was a Cat 3 over land and way before it hit the Orlando area. Now thing may have been different in FL. I dunno. But from what I seen on the national channels, and if I didn't follow Tropics the way I do, I would of thought it was all done.

(Off topic: Would like to remind everyone that my spelling is horrible...usually trying to fly through these threads while my baby is napping so don't spell or grammer check my posts. I would like to once again apologize to all for the typos and hope this doesn't reduce the value of my posts.)

[NC George]

This is typical. Happens after every hurricane in NC. That's probably why the Floyd flood took many people by surprise - they thought once Floyd struck the coast it was over. Even today, a hurricane is striking the coast of SC/NC. Is TWC on 'storm alert mode'? No. More coverage during the 'Tropical Update' is being spent on damage photos than of the current storm threatening NC.

BTW, the eye of Charley should pass over my house within a few hours.

[Lindaloo]

FoxNews and CNN have been covering this since landfall and are still doing it today.


Pebbles, there is NO excuse for my misspelled words. Thank goodness for the edit button.

[KBBOCA]

I was following the Orlando situation very closely last night (as the threads I started re: radar, etc. attest) as I have a number of friends there. It seemed that there was not much interest... I only found one story on Google (which I posted) noting that Orlando was about to be the "center of the bullseye". My posts didn't get too much attention here... So I agree there is a definite drop off in interest once a storm is inland.

Too many people equate hurricanes as a coastal problem and focus almost exclusively on landfall. Like the question about a forecast track line vs. cone, I wonder how the NHC and the media can better raise awareness of inland hurricane risks and effects... tornados, high winds, downed power lines etc. We focused almost exclusively on "storm surge" in our discussions here -- which was a HUGE risk to the Tampa area. But it is/was easy to forget there were 150 miles of the Florida interior that were also at risk.

Just wondering aloud...

[rbaker]

not in the tpa bay area, channel 13 has had 24 hour coverage since thurs am, and its now sat at 130p and they are still on. Excellant job. Plus bay news 9 which is local affiliant, has had aftermath coverage. So no lack of media here, in fact TPA had no damage at all but there coverage areas had massive damage. as we all know.
.

[ncbird]

NCGeorge you sure are right about the time spent on the damage info. I of course, am sitting my little chicken bottom away from home even though I was pretty sure I would be safe there (I live in a trailer and tuck tail and run first sign of even a TS). Usually I would have the TV on to keep an eye on the storm, but couldn't stand the constant damage photos and reports. Oh well... at least I have this wonderful board to log onto, to keep me up to date.

[SeaBrz_FL]

I have to agree with rbaker, our local news stations pre-empted all other programming and did a phenomenal job keeping their TV and radio feeds going, often on emergency generators.

In defense of the national news agencies, Orlando and other areas did not start getting hit until after dark and that doesn't provide great photo ops, plus makes a dangerous situation for reporters.

[KBBOCA]

Good point SeaBrez about Orlando hit being after dark. Hadn't thought of that. Glad to hear all the local coverage was so stellar. I was basing my comments soley on the internet and newspaper stories (via Google). I'm in West Africa and don't have access to TV!

[wx247]

CNN, FOX NEWS, and MSNBC have been providing updates all day long. I do believe that you are correct about people believing hurricanes only do damage along the coast. A lot of people do have that misconception.

[HurricaneQueen]

Locally, the ONLY thing on TV and many radio stations is the continual updates. Unfortunately, many people can't get them unless they have battery operated TV's and/or radios. We have plenty of both but still NO ELECTRICITY or phone service. I'm hooked up with a cell phone and power source and check in every once in a while. Many of the cell companies are not functional. It is extremely hot but every once in a while, I get in the car to charge phones, computers, etc. and get some a/c. I even found a gas station open. Many restaurants are open and very busy but other stores are closed except for a few large chain stores. Lots of superficial damage in Bonita and N. Naples-many trees down and some shingle blown but nothing like a few miles to the north.

I fell badly complaining about the heat when so many lost everything they had including their lives. My heart goes out to everyone so affected.

Gotta run. The power source is running low. My best to all who experienced Charley. This may be all I can post until after we get electricity.

Take care , everyone,
Lynn

[wx247]

You take care yourself Lynn!!! (((HUGS)))