Severe Weather Coverage

Severe Weather Coverage

Topic Author: Charlie Shortino

Posted: 7:55 AM Apr 30, 2008

Replies Posted: 17 comments

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Severe Weather Coverage

It's that time of the year again when severe weather becomes a player in your lives and our broadcasts. NBC15 has made a commitment to provide the best on-air severe weather coverage in the market. This, through a considerable monetary investment in equipment and a managerial commitment to be on the air at all times during severe weather.

This of course means we may at times interrupt a program you like. We understand it is a difficult balance between programming and critical information that may only apply to a portion of our viewing area. My question is what are your thoughts on severe weather coverage in this market? Too much? Not enough? Who does it well and why?

Posted by: DJ I wish that unless we have to take cover for weather, you would not interup TV programs - missed a very important piece of a program that will not be replayed. Why don't you stick to the running the report below the program. That is all we need!!!!

Posted by: Kevin Location: Black Earth
Why don't you post rain totals on a map for the reagon. I work construction and I need to know rain and snow totals for the differant towns I have projects in. Madison airport totals are so far off of what other areas or towns get it is pathetic.

Posted by: Tamara Location: Harmony Grove
Where's Charlie lately?

Posted by: Pat Location: Union Center/Elroy
Thanks for the continuing coverage of all the weather in our area. I have found that when trying to get to work in Reedsburg yesterday & today the radio station was having problems getting started. If you leave at 6 in the morning it helps to know whats going on & where. We have been listening & checking your web page for road closings for 2 days running. We are almost out of your viewing area, but depend on you because we need to know what happening & really appreciate the continueing coverage yesterday & today. Thanks again

Posted by: Rod Melotte Location: Columbus
I'm a member of CoCorahas (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) and the rain totals were 5.50 inches Saturday/Sunday and 4.45 Sunday/Monday 6AM 9.95 inches total! WOW

Posted by: scott barnes Location: maple gove teailer park beaver dam
i dont think anybody knows that beaver dam is having problems i live outsides bd and my trailer park is starting to flood pretty badly from the rain i dont know what it will be like in the morning

Posted by: Mike Location: Madison
Charlie. Back when Randol was still at the station, I wrote a letter to management highlighting what I thought made NBC15 the best in the Madison Market. They liked it so much my guide dog and I were featured in a promo spot for the morning show, with a voice over of portions of my letter being read while the video showed my dog and I doing our "daily routine" up on the UW campus. You all are awesome, and like before, I say wholeheartedly- it is the excellent verbal explanations that help me, a visually impaired individual, know precisely where the danger is at, and where it is going! Sometimes, verbal beats all the computer graphics and motion displays when someone, even sighted, can't see the screen! You all rock Charlie- Thanks to everyone at NBC15, and keep up the great work!

Posted by: Linda Location: Fort Atkinson
You do a great job of covering severe weather. I watched you almost constantly all night last night, because your the best place to see what is going on in our area. Yes we get Milwaukee too, but I am faithful to NBC 15 when it comes to weather. Also, I watch your morning show every day before work, and count on you to let me know how to dress for the day. Thanks Charlie.

Posted by: Deb Location: Beaver Dam
I thought the last storm (that hit Wyocena) was handled very well. It was explained so that it was easily understood. I do not mind interruptions if, in fact, it is severe.

Posted by: Robin Location: Madison
Break IN, always. Safety or Entertainment. mmmmm, I pick Safety, thank you. Keep breaking in. You do a great job!.

Posted by: Hilary Location: Madison
My husband hates it when severe weather coverage messes up the HD when he is watching golf...

Posted by: Mike Location: WI
PROTECTING LIVES COMES BEFORE ANYTHING! As much coverage that is needed to save lives is the way to go.

Posted by: Local Location: Dane Co.
NBC15 does just fine. I don't care for programme interruptions unless there's an emergency. Scrolling banner @ bottom of screen works best for me...

Posted by: Shawn Location: Fort Atkinson
In Jefferson County, our Charter Cable covers both Milwaukee and Madison stations. I guess were one of the fortunate ones since Jefferson County is in both of the listening areas. As far as the "Madison perspective" from a Milwaukee-market station, I was referring about the weather mostly or if anything happened in Jefferson county. Obviously, Madison isn't going to have wall to wall coverage over something not taking place in their listening area, unless it's really huge. But, as I said, I think NBC15 does a great job with their breaking news and severe weather coverage.

Posted by: Anonymous Shawn, you're never going to get consistent 'Madison perspective' coverage from a Milwaukee-market station, since Dane County is not in their area of responsibility. Yes, some viewers may get a Milwaukee station signal on the eastern fringes of Dane County, but it's technically out of their viewing area. Frankly, I'm surprised you get any 'Madison station perspective' coverage from the Milwaukee market whatsoever.

Posted by: Eric Location: Sun Prairie
I have to disagree with Shawn: yes it's good you guys break in, but don't try to be like the Milwaukee stations, who seem take everything to the extreme. In Milwaukee, it seems like they'll go to wall-to-wall coverage for a light sprinkle or a dusting of snow. A similar thing could be said for one of your Madison competitors. At one time, they were the only ones in the Madison market to break in during the overnite hours, and would stay on the air for nearly an hour when a 5-minute blurb would have sufficed (the instance I remember was for a non-tornadic, slightly heavy thunderstorm). It seemed like he was only on the air to play with his latest electronic toys. I wonder if he got credit for all the times he dropped each gadget's name? Breaking into regular programming is a fine-lined art form. The coverage NBC15 gave to last week's tornado, I thought, was just fine. Anything more would have crossed that line. Keep up the good work and remember you'll never be able to please everyone.

Posted by: Shawn Location: Fort Atkinson
I am thankful that you guys are covering the severe weather as it happens. It seems like the madison television stations are always a few steps behind the milwaukee television stations. In Milwaukee, NBC, FOX, and ABC are always breaking in with continuous breaking news and weather coverage as it happens. However, when you want to see it from a Madison televison stations perspective, they are hardly ever breaking in. It's nice to see that NBC 15 is stepping up in that department. Keep up the good work and please feel free to break in with live updates as needed if the conditions warrant.