A veteran storm reporter got a first-hand look at how powerfulHurricane Ianwas after it made landfall in Florida.
On Wednesday, The Weather Channelmeteorologist Jim Cantore was on the ground in Punta Gorda, reporting live amid 110 mph winds, according tofootage of the broadcast.
Afterwards, Cantore picked himself up and began making his way out of the street.
“Alright, you know what, I think I’m just going to come in here a second,” Cantore remarked, before grabbing onto a street sign to brace himself. “Just give me a second.”
Cantore reassured his team that he was fine but said it was incredibly difficult to “stand up” due to the hurricane gusts.
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After finally making it back, Cantore remarked, “I’m just, I’m going to let you guys look at the pictures, OK? And I’m going to stand behind this wall a little bit.”
“That was definitely our strongest gust,” he added from behind the camera. “That one took my wind.”
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A number of social media users voiced concern for Cantore’s safety.
“Please get this man off the street,“wroteone, while another remarked, “IDK what Jim Cantore is getting paid, butit’s not enough.”
Others pointed out that Cantore — whoseTwitter bioreads “always awaiting mother natures latest temper tantrum” — has beenreporting on the ground during storms for years.
“Hurricane doesn’t start until we see Jim Cantore holding a street sign for dear life,“wroteone social media user.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a Thursday press conference that the state is dealing with a “500-year flooding event.”
“We’ve never seen storm surge of this magnitude,” added DeSantis. “The amount of water that’s been rising, and will likely continue to rise today even as the storm is passing.”
Vehicles driving through a flooded area in Fort Myers, Florida.Joe Raedle/Getty
DeSantis spoke with PresidentJoe BidenThursday after a major disaster declaration was made overnight for Florida,according to the White House.
Biden laterappeared at FEMA headquartersand said Ian “could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history.”
“The numbers we have are still unclear, but we’re hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life,” he said.
In an appearance onGood Morning AmericaThursday, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said hefeared fatalities could be in the “hundreds,“though he added that those numbers were not confirmed.
Later on CNN, Sheriff Marceno said he didn’t know “exact numbers” given the “very preliminary” stages of recovery and rescue efforts in Lee County.
source: people.com
