Monday, September 1, 2008
Gustav leaving...not Katrina's Brother...
As we look at the damage left behind from Gustav, it's clear this was a powerful storm, but no where close to Katrina. Storm surge was in the 10-15' range (Katrina was 25-30') and winds across the city only gusted to near 80 mph. Power Outages are the main issue and that should only take a day or two to restore...the exception will be down along the coastal communities that got hit the hardest. I salute the forecasters at NHC for "nailing" the track 5+ days out. Intensity continues to be a problem and I'm sure that will be addressed in the coming months & years. I appreciate all the kind comments and support from our viewers. FYI...FOX 8's ratings Wed-Fri were the highest in the history of our station. Our 9 pm news topped Ch. 4's news (longtime market leader) for 3 straight nights. No ratings are available for Sat-Sun. since most folks left town. I'm humbled by all the support for FOX 8, and with our new owner, pledge to get even better in delivering to you the best weather graphics (did you see the 3-D fly around Gustav?) & information provided by the NWS & NHC. I will continue to give you my opinion based on my weather knowledge (B.S. Meteorology/Oceanography, Univ. Michigan 1969) plus my nearly 38 years in broadcasting. I will try to continue to earn your trust speaking in a calm yet authorative voice that has made FOX 8 YOUR WEATHER AUTHORITY. Thanks
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14 comments:
Caveman gives Bob kudos, hope you are ready for Ike. I think it is safe to say historical trends and being in the center of the cone of error are not always the best thing to use for forecasting, but rather the raw data from the many sources such as bouy's, radar, sats, hurricane hunters, NHC etc. New Orleans DID dodge the bullet on this one, few changes in the atmosophere and it would have been awhole different story, besides Nagin callin Gustav the mother of all storms couldn't be true anyway, last I checked Gustav is a dude!
Goodjob Bob!
We left NOLA for north of Baton Rouge and Gustav is MUCH worse than Katrina up here. And it is not over yet.
I am in Meridian, Ms. and I have been watching CNN and The Weather Channel all day but they have not said anything about what is going on in Lafitte. Can anyone help?
Bob,
I've lived here in southern Mississippi for about 28 years now and I don't think I would know how to make it through hurricane season without your help.
Many thanks to you, John, Nancy and the rest of the crew, for all your tireless efforts and dedication. You folks make a major difference and it's very much appreciated.
Thanks
Sal.
Bob... i'd venture to say your Blog and access to your thoughts on this type of venue has been one thing that helped the ratings for Ch 8. My opinion anyway. I again say I hope the fact this wasn't "the mother of all storms" doesn't make people Not leave next time.. and I hope the Mayor overblowing some information a few times doesn't make people NOT believe what the authorities say next time. He tended to sound a bit out there at times and to me it really sort of made me a little less likely to beleive it. BUT I stuck with the REAL authorities on the weather! You for one. Thanks again glad it wasn't as bad as it could have been and Lord lets hope we don't see Ike! or anyone else. ;)
Good work on the last two days, Bob. I think it's safe to say that as each new year comes, we need to take the NHC's 5 day track a little more seriously. If 10 years, that 5 day track will be fairly reliable.
I was this morning stuck watching Margaret, you know who (doesn't have a degree in meteorology either, but considers herself an expert), on one of your competitor's stations. She was, as usual, extremely irresponsible, trying to create panic in viewers so they would keep watching. Her frantic, unprofessional demeanor and threats of what could happen helps cause chaos and stress when neither is needed. You should have heard her when she was talking to Mayor Nagin today while watching video from the Industrial Canal.
I want also to commend Nicondra Norwood for her professional, informative, and calm updates. She is the third best on-air meteorologist in NOLA, after you and Carl at WWL.
Bob,
I am one that has been watchin you guys for hours and hours since this storm got closer to our coast. I have been watching all night and all day on my computer. Thank goodness for this b/c I was able to get way more local information. We are here in Jackson watching what is going on and hoping to get back in to Metairie soon. You have done a great job with this storm. Just like a previous comment, lets just hope we dont have to deal with Ike. Thanks for all the good work.
When can Jefferson Parish come back, Metairie.
Bob,
You did a great job, you and FOX 8 have been amazing, so much better than the other stations.
I think everyone appreciated your calm demeanor, and accurate information.
Everything was appropriate for the situation. You are the only station I will look to for hurricane news from now on.
Thanks for all the info throughout this storm. My husband had to stay and this blog was very helpful to me. Do you know when e can start heading back o our homes?
Great job Bob and the entire FOX8 team.
From a longtime Bob Breck viewer (25 years) in Long Beach, MS I couldn't make it through any major weather event without you. YOU ARE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS WITHOUT QUESTION!
Jack
Hi there! Figured you might find this video I took of Gustav flexing its muscles. It's pretty creepy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMQjxE9pxvI
Latest VIPIR runs shows Mayor Nagin is in his last term.
Well Bob, I don't ever listen to anyone but you with regard to weather. What I am most concerned with is the absolutely horrific experience of evacuation. We left at midnight on Sat/Sun hoping to avoid traffic and were stuck in ungodly traffic through Mississippi. I think Gov. Barber has some explaining to do. Remember before Katrina he implied that there would be no contraflow through Miss. It was tantamount to NO contraflow this time...I-10 being closed, there were NO exits off of 59 open... criminal. I thought we were working as a region. There are going to be thousands of people who will not evacuate for the next storm and it could be much worse than Gustav. I am a real storm whimp and I am thinking of getting a generator and a gun and lots of provisions and staying put.
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