GoldenShine9 1513 Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 With another hurricane heading for our coastline (this time the Gulf Coast), I made this thread on how stations are covering it, whether they have to move or if they bring in staff from elsewhere. The Panama City and Tallahassee markets look to be hardest hit, with significant impacts as well in the Mobile-Pensacola, Dothan, Albany (GA), Macon, Gainesville and other markets. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrh1985 57 Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 WeatherNation now has Michael data sometimes in its L Bar! Just like TWC! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214525 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3948 Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 In terms of Mobile/Pensacola, WEAR is closest to the storm and covers the Florida side of the market almost exclusively from the AL/FL state line to Destin. Panama City is ground zero. I could see WJHG deferring to WTVY or WCTV if needed, and even WMBB deferring to WKRG or WDHN if either station is forced to evacuate. WJHG is located in a class "C" evacuation zone, and WMBB is across the street from one (same class), but they have flooded before. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214526 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3948 Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 I wonder if WMBB is going to (re)activate their livestream.... WJHG is streaming their newscasts on their website and Roku app. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted October 9, 2018 Author Share Posted October 9, 2018 In terms of Mobile/Pensacola, WEAR is closest to the storm and covers the Florida side of the market almost exclusively from the AL/FL state line to Destin. Panama City is ground zero. I could see WJHG deferring to WTVY or WCTV if needed, and even WMBB deferring to WKRG or WDHN if either station is forced to evacuate. WJHG is located in a class "C" evacuation zone, and WMBB is across the street from one (same class), but they have flooded before. I would think WJHG would go to WTVY, due to the fact it is farther inland (and there are no Gray stations in Mobile/Pensacola). WMBB would probably go to WKRG, since I believe their facility is much larger than WDHN. I don't think either WTXL or WCTV are in flood zones from either the river or storm surge? As for shared coverage, I'd be curious how WTXL grabs resources, since they are a Raycom station being shuffled off to Scripps, while most Raycom employees become sisters to WCTV soon. Who helps whom? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214549 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3948 Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 They're still aligned with WPGX in Panama City, so it may be advantageous to simulcast there, especially if something happens to WMBB or WJHG. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214551 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted October 9, 2018 Author Share Posted October 9, 2018 They're still aligned with WPGX in Panama City, so it may be advantageous to simulcast there, especially if something happens to WMBB or WJHG. They would need to set something up remotely, since there is no news operation there. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214555 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3948 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 WMBB is now streaming storm coverage on their website (mypanhandle.com...or WMBB.com for the pre-Nexstar crowd.) They would need to set something up remotely, since there is no news operation there. I believe WPGX is largely ran out of WBRC in Birmingham with no local technical presence. It would honestly be better if they were able to simulcast WTXL coverage for the benefit of the Panama City viewers than going on as planned with regular programming. With that being said, does Sinclair have any plans for WTWC? Might be nice to pipe in storm coverage from a sister station that actually does news. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214587 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRob 937 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Given the expected path, I would be more concerned about WMBB flooding with a water coming out of the bay, than WJHG-TV. WMBB is only a couple of blocks from the standard flood zone, without taking storm surge into account. Fortunately, this hurricane is moving quickly, unlike Florence. I would be more concerned about the wind right now. This storm may bomb out and knock down every power line in the city. I've never been there, and I have no idea how well each station's building is constructed. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214589 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3948 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Given the expected path, I would be more concerned about WMBB flooding with a water coming out of the bay, than WJHG-TV. WMBB is only a couple of blocks from the standard flood zone, without taking storm surge into account. Fortunately, this hurricane is moving quickly, unlike Florence. I would be more concerned about the wind right now. This storm may bomb out and knock down every power line in the city. I've never been there, and I have no idea how well each station's building is constructed. WJHG's is pretty solid. I believe it was built in the 50s when they signed on. A tornado passed over it during Ivan that later did some serious damage on Thomas Drive... WMBB's is much older even though they've only been there for 30 years or so. And the flood was not during a hurricane but a thunderstorm about a decade ago. About an inch of water made its way into the building causing most of the carpet having to be replaced. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214592 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 WMBB is now streaming storm coverage on their website (mypanhandle.com...or WMBB.com for the pre-Nexstar crowd.) I believe WPGX is largely ran out of WBRC in Birmingham with no local technical presence. It would honestly be better if they were able to simulcast WTXL coverage for the benefit of the Panama City viewers than going on as planned with regular programming. With that being said, does Sinclair have any plans for WTWC? Might be nice to pipe in storm coverage from a sister station that actually does news. I doubt they will do anything with WTWC. It would not be local anyway - everyone would turn to WCTV or WTXL. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214606 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mre29 1519 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 WMBB is now streaming storm coverage on their website (mypanhandle.com...or WMBB.com for the pre-Nexstar crowd.) What's going on with the hyperactive breaking news banner? It's cycling between the slides unusually fast. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214613 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProduceGuy 31 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 AT&T UVerse (and presumably DirecTV) has launched its Severe Weather Channel. It looks like WEAR is the only station being simulcast as of now. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214615 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProduceGuy 31 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 AT&T UVerse (and presumably DirecTV) has launched its Severe Weather Channel. It looks like WEAR is the only station being simulcast as of now. Severe Weather Channel just started airing WALA. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214617 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3948 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I doubt they will do anything with WTWC. It would not be local anyway - everyone would turn to WCTV or WTXL. ...and FTVLive just called them out for it. https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2018/10/10/miss-jackson-if-your-nasty Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214622 Share on other sites More sharing options...
caliwxdude 254 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Looks like both WMBB and WJHG are dunzo as Panama City is getting a direct hit from the eyewall around 12:30pm local time. WJHG's livestream is showing a "technical difficulties" slide and WMBB's livestream has been stuck at 12:15pm for a while now. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214630 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ED2 144 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 WMBB is now simulcasting WFLA, which was briefly showing WKRG. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius22 122 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Directv Is using WBMA now. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3948 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 WDHN is reporting that WMBB may have lost their roof....WJHG's studio was taking in water and may have lost some parts of their roof as well... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214637 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSSZNews 1051 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I'd anticipate Albany GA--TV stations and all--to be in some trouble. I expect places like Panama City and Tallahassee to be decently fortified for stuff like this--but Albany's 100+ miles inland, this thing isn't weakening a huge amount, and they could easily get Cat 2, if not Cat 3 conditions very soon. What a bonkers storm. This is looking to be a disaster a good 150-200 miles inland, and as bad as Panama City got it, they were probably 20 miles away from being wiped off the map. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214640 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRob 937 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 [MEDIA=twitter]1050100463033573376[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]1050123041546653696[/MEDIA] Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214644 Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlnews2 591 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 WDHN has been knocked off the air. They, along with WMBB, are simulcasting WFLA's coverage online Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214646 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 WDHN has been knocked off the air. They, along with WMBB, are simulcasting WFLA's coverage online It must be busy in Tampa, but I am sure they planned for it all. Is anyone covering for WJHG? I'm not sure if WTVY or WCTV is able to. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214650 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 I'd anticipate Albany GA--TV stations and all--to be in some trouble. I expect places like Panama City and Tallahassee to be decently fortified for stuff like this--but Albany's 100+ miles inland, this thing isn't weakening a huge amount, and they could easily get Cat 2, if not Cat 3 conditions very soon. What a bonkers storm. This is looking to be a disaster a good 150-200 miles inland, and as bad as Panama City got it, they were probably 20 miles away from being wiped off the map. At least Raycom has plenty of options nearby to cover WALB: they could do it out of WSFA, WTVM, WFXG or WTOC. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214651 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4368 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Confirmed: All stations in Panama City - radio and TV - are off the air. It gets worse: the iHeart cluster is not only off the air, their staff is trapped and unable to escape due to flooding. This is their chief engineer’s Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10212767408247109 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16720-hurricane-michael-coverageoperations/#findComment-214653 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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