Ernesto is coming

[Scott Lofskin]

We all better prepare!

Even though I'm in Orlando, there's a good chance we'll get affected too.

I assume local TV and radio stations are preparing coverage of the storm?

 

[954]

Good time to remind people that a chart of what radio stations
are carrying TV aidio from whom can be found at
Hurricane Info On South Florida Radio:
http://RadioPages.net/radio/hurricane.html

It also includes a list of 162 MHz NOAA stations.

Print it out before you lose power!

73s

We all better prepare!

Even though I'm in Orlando, there's a good chance we'll get affected too.

I assume local TV and radio stations are preparing coverage of the storm?

 

[John FL]

I want to be very careful about how I appoach this subject and so hopefully I won't be misunderstood.

It's becomming more and more obivious that tropical systems regardless of size and intensitiy turn the media (both TV and Radio) into something that is often times embarrasing.

Unlike other potentially disasterous situations such as earthquakes and tornadoes, hurricanes/tropical storm tracking and proper reporting can and does save lives. The problem is the media gets caught up in a feeding frenzy. And I can well understand how that happens. Ratings and making long lasting impressions on viewers/listeners become the ultimate motivator.

Again, I believe keeping the public informed about potential disaster is wholly necessary and we can all benefit from today's technology. But when I saw a reporter from Miami Beach yesterday on local Jacksonville television stating that even cruise ships were heading out to sea early, that is not reporting - it is sensationalizing. I know a little bit about cruises as I've taken at least a dozen or so. Most major cruise ships do leave port around 5PM. And so when the ship was offshore a little past 5:30, there was nothing unusual about that.

How many times can we recall a reporter holding onto his hat for what appears to be dear life and yet the sea oats right next to him are swaying ever so gently in the breeze. Spokesmen from the National Hurricane Center will often discuss why the storm track has changed and how a specific area is no longer in a threat but the local weather person will remind us how these things can change and quickly the 3 people who happen to be at Home Depot buying supplies are featured.

Look, again, I so believe that proper coverage is necessary and it can save lives. But even if Ernesto turns into Category 1, South Florida will survive and in fact so will Jacksonville. 75% of the local news yesterday in my town was devoted to keeping an "eye on the storm." For a weather event that is another 300 miles away from all of you in South Florida, I think it was a bit much. This won't change anytime soon. Again, I hope my message was understood. I do believe we need coverage and the facts - just not sensationalism and working people up to a frenzy.

 

[954]

I want to be very careful about how I appoach this subject and so hopefully I won't be misunderstood.

It's becomming more and more obivious that tropical systems regardless of size and intensitiy turn the media (both TV and Radio) into something that is often times embarrasing.

At least this has some local relevance.

When JohnBenet becomes the lead story, even on local news shows, is when I turn off the TV or radio in disgust.

What kind of media idiots think that it is important to broadcast
every @#$%^ press conference by the police or the family out there?

What kind of people (who need to get a life) care?

73s

 

[jcolletta275]

Just a quick note, 954: you have WPOW listed as 96.3 on the affiliation list. As much as I'd like to turn back time some 20+ years, I think they're still on 96.5

 

[954]

Just a quick note, 954: you have WPOW listed as 96.3 on the affiliation list. As much as I'd like to turn back time some 20+ years, I think they're still on 96.5

No WGBS-FM?

Thanks for catching it... and 10-4.

 

[The-Major]

I want to be very careful about how I appoach this subject and so hopefully I won't be misunderstood.
It's becomming more and more obivious that tropical systems regardless of size and intensitiy turn the media (both TV and Radio) into something that is often times embarrasing.
Unlike other potentially disasterous situations such as earthquakes and tornadoes, hurricanes/tropical storm tracking and proper reporting can and does save lives. The problem is the media gets caught up in a feeding frenzy. And I can well understand how that happens. Ratings and making long lasting impressions on viewers/listeners become the ultimate motivator.
Again, I believe keeping the public informed about potential disaster is wholly necessary and we can all benefit from today's technology. But when I saw a reporter from Miami Beach yesterday on local Jacksonville television stating that even cruise ships were heading out to sea early, that is not reporting - it is sensationalizing. I know a little bit about cruises as I've taken at least a dozen or so. Most major cruise ships do leave port around 5PM. And so when the ship was offshore a little past 5:30, there was nothing unusual about that.
How many times can we recall a reporter holding onto his hat for what appears to be dear life and yet the sea oats right next to him are swaying ever so gently in the breeze. Spokesmen from the National Hurricane Center will often discuss why the storm track has changed and how a specific area is no longer in a threat but the local weather person will remind us how these things can change and quickly the 3 people who happen to be at Home Depot buying supplies are featured.
Look, again, I so believe that proper coverage is necessary and it can save lives. But even if Ernesto turns into Category 1, South Florida will survive and in fact so will Jacksonville. 75% of the local news yesterday in my town was devoted to keeping an "eye on the storm." For a weather event that is another 300 miles away from all of you in South Florida, I think it was a bit much. This won't change anytime soon. Again, I hope my message was understood. I do believe we need coverage and the facts - just not sensationalism and working people up to a frenzy.

John From Jax,

As an amateur weather specialist / forecaster for over 25 years I know a lot about the weather and how it all works and why it all happens. In fact I actually place 'The Weather' at the very top of my list of most knowledgeable subjects - even above Television, Radio, Music, and Computers. I am all about the weather.

I had to have several 'mini press conferences' at work over the past week or so as Ernesto developed and evolved. In fact I'm usually the official 'go-to' person at work during much of the hurricane season as to my thoughts on developing and evolving tropical systems.

Unfortunately here in South Florida suddenly everyone thinks they are a Meteorologist during the tropical season. I'm talking about ordinary citizens and the media (TV, Radio, Newspapers, the whole gamut). Everyone seems to know exactly where any given system is headed, when it is headed there, and why it is headed there. Most people have no clue. The National Hurricane Center and The National Weather Service do know what they are doing, and people should listen to them and do what they advise everyone to do.

Having said all of that when TV (and Radio) goes into marathon mode with non-stop wall-to-wall coverage of the storm of the week that's usually when I turn it all off and revert back to my VCR tapes of previously-recorded but unseen-yet shows. That's what I've been doing all day today, and that's what I'll be doing all day tomorrow. In the meantime I'm also staying up-to-date every three hours with the latest news and information on The National Hurricane Center's official web site.

In conclusion I totally agree with your entire post, and I couldn't have said it any better ! THANKS for having the courage to post it.

THE MAJOR

 

[The-Major]

Just a quick note, 954: you have WPOW listed as 96.3 on the affiliation list. As much as I'd like to turn back time some 20+ years, I think they're still on 96.5

954 - I caught that same error yesterday, but I was too lazy to post about it.

But while we're at it can you please change 'Y-100.7' to read simply 'Y-100' within your list of Channel 10 radio simulcasts ? They officially dropped the non-heritage '.7' back in May, and Josh C. and I couldn't have been more thrilled.

As an aside to all of this Y-100 is also a radio partner (part-time at least) with WTVJ NBC-6. Lonnie Quinn has been reporting LIVE from The National Hurricane Center for NBC-6 & Y-100. He was actually chatting one-on-one with both Froggy (here in Miami) and even Elvis Duran (up in New York) during the 'Morning Zoo' this morning and yesterday morning. I recall a similar Y-100 / NBC-6 arrangement in recent tropical storm seasons with Kenny & Footy.

THE MAJOR

 

[954]

Ernesto's Coming... Hold your heart girl!

But while we're at it can you please change 'Y-100.7' to read simply 'Y-100' within your list of Channel 10 radio simulcasts ? They officially dropped the non-heritage '.7' back in May, and Josh C. and I couldn't have been more thrilled.

I'm glad they dropped it. Sounded stupid.

Is the original dolphin back, too?

Braaaaaaak!

73s

 

[djeddy]

major..


i think CC switches contracts with certain tv networks each year or at least every couple of years. i believe this year Y-100 joined the rest of CC as a radio partner for channel 10, but channel 10 really focuses its partnership with WIOD and BIG more than anyone else (megan is used as weatherperson for both morning shows)

I work at channel 10 and edited those radio partner promos that have been airing that last few days (in fact, if you watch closely you'll see me with the flashlight turning the dial in the dark). we've made 5 versions, all mention WIOD as the primary carrier, and the version that's aired the most is the one mentioning WIOD BIG and a keys station (101.9)

i can verify tomorrow exactly how that's structured...ill keep you posted.

 

[jcolletta275]

Unfortunately, it seems at least on the web site, they still haven't changed the logo to even reflect that they've dropped the ".7", let alone reverted to the old dolphin. Maybe we can bug Dan Mason to do something about that

 

[954]

Unfortunately, it seems at least on the web site, they still haven't changed the logo to even reflect that they've dropped the ".7", let alone reverted to the old dolphin. Maybe we can bug Dan Mason to do something about that

I always thought the 1200-station gorilla was pretty good about keeping its sites up to date.

I looked up Ernesto's coordiantes in Google Maps before and after the 8 AM advisory.

It's approximatelty in the middle between SR84, US41, US27 and SR29.

And it's starting to sound nasty outside.

Now 25 mph wind with gusts of 34.

"Ernesto's coming... hold your heart girl!"

 

[smedge2006]

Brian Maloney's "Inside Radio" column focuses on hurricane coverage and the (otherwise) lack of local talk radio in Miami -Ft L and much of Florida:

http://www.insideradio.com/pdheadlines.asp?phid=449931&PT=Today%27s+Top+Stories

Of course, Maloney is not familiar with names such as "WFTL", Bud Paxson, Neil Rogers, etc. and the role they each played in the evolution or devolution of local talk radio in the past ten years. Perhaps he could use a quick course in the history of Florida radio.

 

[954]

Brian Maloney's "Inside Radio" column focuses on hurricane coverage and the (otherwise) lack of local talk radio in Miami -Ft L and much of Florida:

http://www.insideradio.com/pdheadlines.asp?phid=449931&PT=Today%27s+Top+Stories

Of course, Maloney is not familiar with names such as "WFTL", Bud Paxson, Neil Rogers, etc. and the role they each played in the evolution or devolution of local talk radio in the past ten years. Perhaps he could use a quick course in the history of Florida radio.

I commented on that at length in Nov 2005 Radio News, after Wilma.

I agree with him. Schnitt from Tampa was what passed for local coverage much of the time.

And Ed Arnold at WIOD did a great job with his post-hurricane Q & A talk shows.

I haven't updated and moved that file to the new site yet, but here's a humorous excerpt from the end of the article:

Backtracking, this is too funny NOT to quote: In the week before
the hurricane, Rush Limbaugh quoted WPB mayor Lois Frankel as saying
that West Palm Beach is no New Orleans -- i.e. they'd already rented
buses for possible evacuation. If you're familiar with Frankel's
politics, you'll know how unlikely it is that she'd agree with
Limbaugh on anything or vice versa!


73s

 

[Faraway]

I can think of a number of reasons to not like Schnitt, but I think he knows his stuff when it comes to hurricanes. You're not going to tell me because he's in Tampa he has no clue about what's happening in South Florida? If you are, you must be forgetting the internet, satellite TV plus Clear Channel's own in house news service which my friends at CC say is at least is good,if not better, than any of the radio "news" networks.

Still, I seem to recall that post-Wilma, Mr. Schnitt was absent from WIOD a number of days - I am guessing that's not because of his inability to do decent hurricane coverage, but rather the commitments he had in other markets, markets that didn't have to clean up after a hurricane. All I know is, IOD did a great job of Wilma coverage. They were the only radio station that I know of that was non-stop storm info at a time when no one had power. Somehow they were able to cover their syndicated fare just fine. Although I don't interpret his rant as criticism of WIOD - in fact, I think he's using it as a positive example - WIOD's ability to cover - locally - despite all the synidcation - the big news - sort of negates some ofwhat Mr. Maloney says.

​

 

[954]

I can think of a number of reasons to not like Schnitt, but I think he knows his stuff when it comes to hurricanes.

I agree. But he's STILL no substitute for local content.

You're not going to tell me because he's in Tampa he has no clue about what's happening in South Florida? If you are, you must be forgetting the internet, satellite TV plus Clear Channel's own in house news service which my friends at CC say is at least is good,if not better, than any of the radio "news" networks.

Still, I seem to recall that post-Wilma, Mr. Schnitt was absent from WIOD a number of days - I am guessing that's not because of his inability to do decent hurricane coverage, but rather the commitments he had in other markets, markets that didn't have to clean up after a hurricane. All I know is, IOD did a great job of Wilma coverage. They were the only radio station that I know of that was non-stop storm info at a time when no one had power. Somehow they were able to cover their syndicated fare just fine. Which sort of negates some of what Mr. Maloney says.

And welcome to yet another new participant. Ernesto is attracting 'em.

Are you here or in Schnitts-ville?

;-)

73s