# Hurricane reporting: Only a matter of time before a reporter is killed live on the air **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 7, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708 "2017-09-07T03:56:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/1 "2017-09-07T03:56:49Z")
Tornado reporting too, because some places are now doing that live as well. It almost happened to Anderson Cooper several years ago. :eek: Folks, it’s not worth it to stand outside and do that, but then again, I don’t make those decisions. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/2 "2017-09-07T04:04:42Z")
I agree. It’s awfully stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/3 "2017-09-07T04:36:11Z")
I’m remembering that movie where a reporter on live TV in LA is scoffing about tornados in LA, and is immediately taken out by tornado debris. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/4 "2017-09-07T11:18:37Z")
But just imagine the ratings! ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/5 "2017-09-07T11:34:32Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > But just imagine the ratings! The Executive Suits would piss their pants with delight if it happened. Even moreso if it is bloody and with extra gore. Don Henley’s Dirty Laundry just popped into my head. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/6 "2017-09-07T11:54:16Z")
I saw a petite newscaster actually get blown over by the wind, so yeah. Death is totally possible. Let them broadcast from inside. I get it. It’s really windy and the rain is coming in sideways. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/7 "2017-09-07T12:02:02Z")
There’s only one reason I’d watch televised car racing. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/8 "2017-09-07T12:02:49Z")
How commonly do reporters die on the job anyway? The only ones I can think of were killed by terrorists, disgruntled ex-boyfriends, or while flying in a helicopter. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/9 "2017-09-07T12:12:07Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I saw a petite newscaster actually get blown over by the wind, so yeah. Death is totally possible. > > Let them broadcast from inside. I get it. It’s really windy and the rain is coming in sideways. I saw Al Roker get blown about by the wind. Not even he can stand up against a hurricane. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sO2Oqymv6fw/hqdefault.jpg "Al Roker being Blown Away") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO2Oqymv6fw) ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/10 "2017-09-07T12:14:41Z")
Plenty of stats about journalists killed on the job here > **[Committee to Protect Journalists – Defending Journalists Worldwide.](https://cpj.org/data/killed/2017/)** > > Latest press freedom news from around the globe. Unsurprisingly, active war zones feature prominently. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/11 "2017-09-07T18:37:57Z")
The thing that bothers me most about this, wrt hurricanes, is it sends a message to people who are less experienced (read: never been through one) with them that they aren’t as dangerous as they are. “Well Jim Cantore’s standing outside, lemme go check on (something outside).” I cringe every time I see some sucker reporter standing outside in Tropical Storm force winds, talking about how dangerous it is. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/12 "2017-09-07T18:47:07Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > But just imagine the ratings! Possible loss-of-life’s the only reason I’m tuned-in to any news these days, really. And I really appreciate them inconveniencing the local population so I can get a first-person report on my 6pm news feed. [sarcasm smilie] ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/13 "2017-09-07T19:21:46Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > The thing that bothers me most about this, wrt hurricanes, is it sends a message to people who are less experienced (read: never been through one) with them that they aren’t as dangerous as they are. “Well Jim Cantore’s standing outside, lemme go check on (something outside).” I cringe every time I see some sucker reporter standing outside in Tropical Storm force winds, talking about how dangerous it is. on the other hand, if Jim Cantore shows up in your town, that’s a clear sign you need to evacuate or take cover. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/14 "2017-09-07T19:37:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > There’s only one reason I’d watch televised car racing. It’s the only reason _anyone_ watches televised car racing. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/15 "2017-09-07T20:24:51Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > How commonly do reporters die on the job anyway? The only ones I can think of were killed by terrorists, disgruntled ex-boyfriends, or while flying in a helicopter. Don’t forget drowning in a submarine. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/16 "2017-09-07T20:41:49Z")
But how will I be able to get real road conditions in the Winter if I don’t see a weather reporter standing on an overpass and pointing to her foot where a few snow flakes have fallen on the ground. While the traffic in the back ground just flows along like normal? I mean, these people need Summer jobs too. Some loss of life is going to be necessary if you want to keep my attention to your ad providers. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/17 "2017-09-15T18:52:27Z")
Well, consider that weather reporters are still weather geeks at heart. They probably WANT to be there. Reporting at the scene just gives them an expenses-paid excuse. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/18 "2017-09-15T18:59:02Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > Well, consider that weather reporters are still weather geeks at heart. They probably WANT to be there. Reporting at the scene just gives them an expenses-paid excuse. Great. An expenses paid trip to a hurricane. I would want to report on the beach conditions on the Riviera. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/19 "2017-09-15T19:10:01Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Great. An expenses paid trip to a hurricane. > I would want to report on the beach conditions on the Riviera. Clearly you are not a weather geek 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708/20 "2017-09-15T19:43:29Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > Clearly you are not a weather geek 😉 Hey, now! Balmy sunshine is weather, too! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-reporting-only-a-matter-of-time-before-a-reporter-is-killed-live-on-the-air/795708.md?page=2)