Keeping with the weather guys theme here, another article in the Sun-Sentinel this one interviewing the men themselves and letting them talk about trust, remaining calm among other things

Sunsentinel.com
Honesty their best policy

Honesty their best policy

By Kathleen Kernicky
Staff Writer
Posted October 2 2004

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The West Coast has earthquakes. The Midwest has tornadoes. Florida has hurricanes, one of the few natural disasters that come with advance warning.

That’s both a blessing and a burden for meteorologists. The preparation and safety of millions of residents weigh heavily on their shoulders, especially during a season marked by four hurricane strikes.

“These are stressful times for people and they’re making decisions that are based on what they’re hearing from these handful of people,” says Bryan Norcross, director of meteorology at WFOR-Ch.4. “I take that very seriously and I think the other folks do, too.”

Bill Kamal, chief meteorologist at WSVN-Ch. 7, joined the station after working in Washington, D.C., and other cities.

“There aren’t many cities where people’s lives are on the line,” Kamal says. ” In my mind, I become the parent for basically 4.5 million people. I want them to look to me for advice when it’s a life-threatening situation.”

Before and during a storm, the meteorologist’s words, tone and demeanor can make a pivotal difference. And when a storm directly hits, they become the voice and the lifeline for frightened residents.

“I am aware that the words that I choose to use, how I use them, what emphasis I have, may make a tremendous difference,” says Don Noe, chief meteorologist at WPLG-Ch. 10. “People hear things differently …Nerves are frazzled.”

Noe, among others, was praised by readers for his calm, reassuring approach.

“Having lived down here for 25 years and been through several hurricanes and having a personal experience with Hurricane Andrew, I don’t feel as if a hurricane needs to be sensationalized or hyped. They are what they are. What I try to do is tell people, `This is the situation.’ It may well be a better scenario. And usually it turns out that way. I always temper that with, `You can’t just ignore this. This is a real and present danger.'”

South Florida meteorologists say they never lose sight of knowing viewers’ safety may rest in their hands.

“My goal is to do whatever it takes to help people,” says Roland Steadham, chief meteorologist at WTVJ-Ch. 6. “I feel the burden and the weight of people wanting to know what’s going to happen. Sometimes the information is good, sometimes it’s bad. I’m always going to be honest.”

Viewers often take their cue from who they’re watching.

“When I start to worry, they start to worry. And I don’t worry unless I have to,” says John Morales, chief meteorologist at Telemundo 51. Morales, who also worked at the National Weather Service, was one of the first Spanish-language broadcast meteorologists in South Florida when he arrived in 1991.

A year later, Hurricane Andrew struck Miami-Dade. He became a beacon for thousands of residents who spoke only Spanish.

“Down in Homestead, where Andrew struck, imagine all the migrant workers there who don’t speak English. They relied on us,” says Morales. “I always show the National Hurricane Center forecast. But I also give my professional opinion as to where inside the cone this thing is going to go. That adds a little more stress to the matter.”

The closer and harder a hurricane strikes, the deeper the connection. Just ask Norcross, who remains a hero to many South Floridians 12 years after Andrew.

“It became apparent as I met people who went through Andrew, that this was going to be one of the memorable events of their lives,” Norcross says. “When people are terrified and listening to the radio in the darkness, they tend to identify with that voice they’re hearing.”

Today, “I know now how little I knew then,” says Norcross, who says Andrew set a new course for hurricane preparation in South Florida. “We know so much more about hurricanes now and how they affect us. How they affect families. How they affect structures. Every aspect of the problem is much better known now than then.”

But, “the problems are bigger now. There are more people in the city, more people in high-rises along the coast. … The lesson in all of this for individuals and the community at large, is to make a plan and to make hurricane season as unstressful as possible.”

Noe says the coverage of four hurricanes in six weeks has made people better informed.

“People are very much aware now of what hurricanes can do and the basic science of meteorology,” says Noe, who was averaging 50 to 60 emails per day during the storms. “They’re saying, `I know more about hurricanes now and I understand what you’re talking about.’ And they’re asking questions, `Can you further explain that?’ I think that’s marvelous, particularly for newcomers who weren’t here for Andrew.”

While meteorologists study the science of hurricanes, no one wants to see one hit.

When Hurricane Jeanne came ashore near Stuart, the same spot as Frances, “I was gesticulating with my hands, saying, `I just can’t believe this,'” Morales says. “We will not likely see anything like this again in our lifetime, in terms of four storms hitting within a six-week period. There’s been nothing like this in modern history.”

Steadham says he started to worry last May, the fourth driest on record, an ominous sign of high pressure formation. He repeats a weather adage: May is dry, then we cry.

“As a meteorologist, you have to sit and watch with wonder and amazement. By the same token, I hate what hurricanes do.”

Says Kamal: “The reason I got into the business is that I have this complete respect for nature. I’m awestruck by the power. But, no, I don’t love this. Because my life is on the line, too. Being a scientist and appreciating the physical process, there is a sense of dread there.

“I don’t want to be the captain on the Titanic.”

The Sun-Sentinel asked readers to tell them which weather guy they liked best and they ranked WFOR’s Brian Norcross at the top, followed by WPLG’s Don Noe, then WTVJ’s Roland Steadham and WSVN’s Bill Kamal although of the last two it’s not clear who’s infront of who. Follows a short blurb on what readers wrote about their favorite weatherman.

SunSentinel.com
Foul-weather Friends

Foul-Weather Friends

By Kathleen Kernicky
Staff Writer
Posted October 2 2004

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Weather watching is a growing pastime in this shipwreck of a hurricane season. And South Floridians are becoming quick studies, thanks to the mentoring of television meteorologists who’ve made household words out of phrases like cone of probability, dirty side and clean side, and the perils of dry Mays and high pressure.

We asked readers, who is your favorite local meteorologist? And we got an avalanche of response. To date, we’ve received more than 600 e-mails, phone calls and letters — and they’re still coming in. There seems to be a clear favorite, but the love was spread around.

Bryan Norcross at WFOR-Ch. 4 was the favorite among our readers in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Norcross, who was credited with saving lives when Hurricane Andrew destroyed south Miami-Dade County, continues to draw good will and gratitude from those who lived through that terrifying night 12 years ago.

Some readers said they watch other stations during normal weather conditions — remember those? — but switch to Norcross when a hurricane looms.

“Our guardian angel during Hurricane Andrew,” wrote Rita O’Connor of Sunrise.

Other picks: Don Noe, chief meteorologist at WPLG-Ch. 10, was a big favorite among readers, particularly among longtime residents. Noe has been a mainstay in South Florida for 25 years. Many readers said they feel like he is a trusted neighbor or an old friend.

Not far behind were chief meteorologists Roland Steadham at WTVJ-Ch. 6 and Bill Kamal at WSVN-Ch. 7.

“South Florida, Miami-Dade and Broward, probably has the best group of meteorologists in the whole country,” said Greg De la Garza, a Miami veteran of Hurricane Andrew who echoed what many said. “When I travel around the country, I don’t feel the other stations have such a good group.”

Other names mentioned: John Gerard (WTVJ-Ch. 6), John Morales (Telemundo 51), Bob Soper and Pamela Wright (WFOR-Ch. 4) and Trent Aric (WPLG-Ch. 10).

Many readers said they just want to say thanks, to all of them.

“They have all done a great job in keeping us informed. Thanks, guys,” wrote Ruth Reich of Pompano Beach.

BRYAN NORCROSS,

WFOR-Ch. 4

Readers said they trust his exhaustive knowledge, preparation and expertise in hurricanes. His name remains synonymous with Andrew, one of the most powerful and devastating hurricanes to strike Miami-Dade County. At one point during a marathon broadcast, Norcross (then at WTVJ and simulcast on radio) told listeners whose houses were crumbling to grab a mattress, get inside a closet or bathroom and put the mattress over their heads. People listened, and they survived. Their homes did not.

“I was one of those who sat under the stairwell with our little portable radio, listening to Bryan Norcross at 3:30 in the morning during Hurricane Andrew,” said Dree Stoodley, who lives in Hollywood. “And I’ve sworn by him ever since.”

“I do 50 other channels and Bryan Norcross still remains the favorite, Don Noe running a close second,” said Lucky Schmidt of Hillsboro Beach. “Bryan brought us through Andrew and never left our side. He saved my life emotionally.”

“Bryan Norcross was there for me during Andrew and I have never gotten over that,” wrote Carolyn Fisher of Coconut Creek. “During Hurricane Frances, I lost power. I felt really uneasy until I could find Bryan’s voice on the radio.”

“He got me through Andrew, and my family and friends,” said Ronald Blackwell of Pompano Beach. “He’s been through it and he’s got a great TV personality. And I trust his judgment and his knowledge.”

“Bryan was with us during Andrew. His voice after all these years is a comfort to hear during stressful times,” said Bonnie Wettlaufer of Weston.

Said Mike Trask of Oakland Park: “He has a knack for explaining complicated weather patterns, especially hurricanes, in very simple terms … None of the other weathermen I have seen have that ease in their reporting.”

DON NOE, WPLG-Ch. 10

Noe’s viewers like his factual, no-hype approach and reassuring demeanor. Words used to describe him: Trustworthy, calm, upbeat, accurate, clear and concise.

Of all the meteorologists mentioned, Noe earned the most praise for not hyping or sensationalizing his reports.

“He’s steady and informative and never sensationalizes the situation,” wrote Dana Fairbank of Fort Lauderdale. “He has great tools and graphics that he uses to explain things very clearly. If he doesn’t know something, he tells you that, too.”

“I’ve been living in Florida for over 20 years and I find Don Noe to be the most informative and the least scare-tactic person,” wrote Barbara Dinnerman of Hollywood. “Roland Steadham is second. Norcross should give it a rest … he’s too much of a warmonger and he uses scare tactics sometimes.”

“Don Noe got to the point, no sugarcoating, in terms anyone could understand,” wrote Shawn Duckworth of Pembroke Pines. “I liked the way he told us not to panic, but be prepared. He gave updates when they came in, not repeating the same thing over and over, so we could watch some football. Bottom line … I trust him.”

“Over the years as we prepare and plan for hurricanes and tropical storms to hit our area, we have found Don Noe to be extremely accurate on his predictions and forecasts,” wrote Chief Rick Wierzbicki at Wilton Manors Police Department. “This is crticially important to us as we schedule our police officers on 12-hour shifts for maximum deployment during a major weather event, but we also give them time to prepare and protect their homes and families.”

And the last word on Noe from Georgia and Bob Klemetsmo of Boca Raton:

“When Don Noe says to worry, we worry. If he says not to worry, we don’t.”

ROLAND STEADHAM, WTVJ-Ch. 6

Readers said they like Steadham’s breezy, clear and polished style. Words used to describe him: Professional, calm, down-to-earth, easy to understand and “easy on the eyes.”

“Roland Steadham has a rare combination of capabilities and traits: exhaustive knowledge of the subject; the ability to explain complex meteorological concepts in ways that make them understandable to the layman; a very engaging persona and a reassuring demeanor that allows him to tell us the sky is falling in a way that says `duck, but don’t panic,'” said Jack Diehl of Coral Springs.

“He always remains calm and does not try to scare the viewers with voice inflections and serious facial movements as do others,” wrote Michael and Deborah Oleck of Fort Lauderdale. “We did surf the other channels at times to see what everyone else was saying, but invariably returned to the solid, concise reporting of Roland and his team.”

“He is professional but seems so down-to-earth,” said Rhonda Hanks of Sunrise. “He is at ease and able to relate the latest weather in a smooth manner. He explains things in terms I can understand.”

“He is accurate, concise and does not try to scare his audience into watching later,” said Bill Hancommon of North Lauderdale. “I feel very comfortable with Roland and I stuck with [him] throughout, even when we lost power and had to tune to their simulcast on the radio.”

Said Celia Conti of Plantation: “Roland Steadham gave the information we needed to make an informed decision. No hype. No `it could do this but might do this.’ Some of the local weather personalities just go too far. They spread fear and worry instead of comfort.”

BILL KAMAL, WSVN-Ch. 7

Readers gave this sharp-dressed man a thumbs up for being clear, thorough and a “great teacher” of meteorology. Kamal, who joined WSVN-Ch. 7 in 1994, has become the Pat Riley of the weather arena: Many readers complimented his custom-made suits, “impeccable appearance,” even his “nice hands,” which he uses to explain all those graphics and satellite pictures.

“Watching him is like having a lesson in meteorology from your favorite teacher,” wrote Rick and Suzi Lonsway of Fort Lauderdale. “He speaks beautifully, gives wonderful explanations without talking down to his audience and is always impeccably attired. Best-dressed weatherman as well as best versed!”

“Although Noe or Norcross may have been saying basically the same thing, Bill Kamal put it into a perspective that I could understand,” wrote James Everett. “So thank you, Bill, for keeping me informed during this active hurricane season.”

“He is very thorough and doesn’t leave us guessing,” said Mike Starcke of Pembroke Pines.

“He always dresses impeccably and looks like a million dollars,” said Sara Harden of Pembroke Pines.

“He’s got it all: looks, presence and knowledge,” wrote Ann Burroughs of Fort Lauderdale. “He was the most composed, calm and easy to understand of all the meteorologists that I channel-surfed to see. His lower-registered voice calmly reporting and explaining the events was a welcome relief from the high-pitched and sometimes tension-filled voices of the other guys. My nerves were jangled enough, I sure didn’t need any shrill-sounding, adrenaline-laden people shouting the events at me.”

Kathleen Kernicky can be reached at kkernicky@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4725.