Journey to the Center of the Storm

At this writing, Hurricane Florence is beginning to hit the North Carolina coast. Why do TV networks send their anchors, weather people and reporters directly into the very heart of storms to cover them?

Weather catastrophes are the only time this happens.

A top anchor would never agree to go into the heart of a dangerous virus outbreak.

“We need you to go into the heart of the virus outbreak to cover it. The American people are counting on you,” says the editor.

“I’m on it. Brief me on the danger we face,” the anchor says, jaw jutting forward as he stands and throws on the safari jacket he wears for shoots from remote areas.

“The virus makes your hair fall out, drops your sperm count permanently and causes your voice to rise three octaves for a five-year period,” the editor says, reading from a CDC report as he follows the anchor toward the office door.

“Er, what?” the anchor says as he slows his strut toward the door. “Can we?…I think…Let’s put Johnson on this story. Science is his wheelhouse. Yeah, put Johnson on it. America wants me to be in New York to supervise the coverage!”