Weather Channel plans comprehensive coverage of Hurricane Irene

By Jeff Pfeiffer

The Weather Channel has long found itself in the somewhat dubious position of seeing its broadcast and online ratings go up in times of severe storms and natural disasters, but it’s understandable why so many turn to them in time of need, since the network also has a long tradition of top-notch professional reporting that helps and informs viewers, particularly those in affected areas. Such will be the case now as Hurricane Irene progresses up the East Coast, with the potential to affect up to 55 million people. And already the network has ranked No. 1 among television news competitors over the period of Aug. 21-23 among the P25-54 demographic, and its online initiatives have seen large amounts of traffic as Irene has hit The Bahamas and continued toward the U.S. coast. It’s good that many people are paying attention to this coverage, as Irene is apparently a rare but very dangerous hurricane.

For its television coverage of the storm, The Weather Channel says it is preempting long-form programming to cover the hurricane 24/7 for the foreseeable future. On-camera meteorologists stationed throughout points in Hurricane Irene‘s path along the coast include Mike Seidel in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (currently at Nags Head); Eric Fisher in Norfolk, Virginia; Stephanie Abrams also at the Outer Banks (Duck, North Carolina); Adam Berg in the Jersey Shore area (currently in Asbury Park, New Jersey); and the ever-popular (and excitable) Jim Cantore (pictured) in New York City (he’s broadcasting live in Battery Park tonight from 7-11pm, for you New Yorkers). Obviously, these locations are fluid and may change quickly depending upon Irene’s path.

For more information on The Weather Channel’s extensive television, radio, online, mobile and social media coverage of Hurricane Irene, visit weather.com/hurricanecentral. Pay attention to warnings, and stay safe, everyone.

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Credit: The Weather Channel

1 Comment

  1. I know this hurricanes route was unusual but it seems The Weather Channel only reports on the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene in New York and New England and ignores the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and the Outer Banks devastation. The Outer Banks were really hammered but I hear nothing about what is going on down there.

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