In our business, there are two kinds of storms. The kind that threatens life and property, and the kind broadcasters create when we "cut-in" over programming.
Last Thursday night as a line of severe storms pushed east across the area, cut-ins were needed. After all, the following day it was confirmed three EF1 tornadoes touched down. NEWS7 was contacted by several viewers concerning our cut-ins. Some viewers were glad we cut-in over programming, and some were not.
We respect the opinions of our viewers, but at the end of the day we're going to cut-in over Survivor, Price Is Right, paid advertising, or anything else when a tornado warning is issued. With that said, we'll return you to scheduled programming as soon as possible. Sometimes that may be a few minutes; sometimes much longer if conditions warrant.
Tornadoes can easily be a case of life or death. Broadcasters have a duty to inform the public of the imminent threat of severe weather - no matter how urban or rural an area is.
This may be a good time to write this blog. Some reports say the United States has had more confirmed tornadoes so far this year, than to this point in any of the last 50 years. Virginia has almost reached our annual average number of tornadoes - and it's only mid May.
Jeff Haby is a former professor of mine who has a great weather website. On his site, he's posted a list of the pros and cons of severe weather cut-ins. Here is the link: http://www.theweatherprediction.com/issues/4/
Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by my blog! --Jay
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