Close calls with big storms inspire changes in Weather Channel tactics

Close calls with big storms inspire changes in Weather Channel tactics


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ATLANTA, Ga. — When disaster strikes, news reporters and TV meteorologists bring wild weather to the living room. However, a big story can come with a great risk.

Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Bettes went to Oklahoma in May to cover what became the widest tornado on record — the El Reno that killed 19 people. But at the channel's home base, weather was much calmer.

Paul Goodloe, another meteorologist for the channel, was on air the day Bettes was in the Midwest.

"We had three Weather Channel vehicles that were out chasing storms for the season," he said.

Bettes was in one of those vehicles doing live shots all afternoon.

"(It was) moments before they got hit and he said, ‘OK this is too close. We have to go,' " Goodloe said.


We have to change the ballgame. We try to warn people, keep people safe, and we were affected. We might not get that up close picture … but we're going to be there for the next one.

–Paul Goodloe


But Bettes and others on the crew were no match for the multiple vortices and high speeds of the twister. The tornado picked up the vehicle that Bettes was riding in, and then toppled the SUV a few times. The team survived.

It was that near miss that changed the way the Weather Channel covers big storms. Next time, they plan to pay it a little safer.

"We have to change the ballgame. We try to warn people, keep people safe, and we were affected," Goodloe said. "We might not get that up close picture … but we're going to be there for the next one."

Goodloe has covered big storms before, like Hurricane Isaac when it slammed across Mississippi. He said he tries to choose a spot far away from buildings or trees.

"I make sure that what's behind me in Gulf port is the Glf of Mexico, so perhaps a fish will pop out but not a piece of siding," he said.

Wild weather will bring out the daredevils, but Goodloe said most in the industry are trained scientists who are doing good for the public.

"There are probably countless stories of people who were saved by our warnings. local warnings and the warnings on social media," he said.

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