Last Wednesday it happened again. I had to break into local programming and interrupt several minutes of CBS Criminal Minds (one of my favorite shows). And yes the phone rang with some angry viewers who just don't understand why we do it. So I'll explain it again. We interrupt programming during severe weather that can kill or cause damage to our viewers and their property. Pretty simple. Last wednesday night funnel clouds were spotted over Lincoln county and were moving east toward Deer Park and Chatteroy. Doppler radar and ground observations were also reporting heavy rain, hail and strong winds. I broke into local programming several times to warn viewers that would be affected by these dangerous storms. And we showed you in later newscasts the pictures of the funnel clouds, large trees toppled, a truck crushed and other damage north of spokane. No one injured. I know that people watching CBS that night were warned.
Last winter I had to interrupt local programming to warn of heavy snow falling across the area. And of course the phone rang, "its just a little snow" they said. Well you and I know that the "little snow" that fell shutdown schools for 2 weeks and cost the inland northwest millions of dollars in damage, lost revenue and plowing expenses.
The same thing happened the winter before last. On A Sunday I had to interrupt golf to warn of heavy snow on the way. Boy did the phone ring that afternoon. Of course the storm shut down schools for a week and businesses closed for a week or more.
What happens after the storm is usually the same people who called to complain about the "little storm" are panicked and want to know "when will the schools open", "are the busses running", "when will my power come back on", "I need a plow I can't get out "? All good questions.
The reason I write about this is just to let you know that the absolute last thing I want to do is interrupt your favorite shows, But the absolute first thing I will do is break in
during times of severe weather and warn as many viewers as possible.

4 Comments

Kathy said:

Personally, I'm glad you interrupt our mind-numbing with actual true-to-life weather reports. These interruptions helped me prevent the loss of my entire garden due to a hail storm last summer. They helped me plan for my commutes this winter - which, by the way (unlike many fancy SUV owners), I didn't miss a single day of work because of the snow. People need to get a life and realize that while maybe they're far from the storm, the warning interruptions are going to be relevant to someone out there in a big way. People need to quit being so stinking self-centered... the world doesn't revolve around any of us, but it revolves with all of us on it whether we like it or not. Thanks for the weather interruptions!!

May 11, 2009 3:27 PM

Aaron Koch said:

Tom, just keep doing what you're doing... You prove time and time again to be an extremely valuable resource to us here in the inland northwest. There will always be whiners, and we can always watch the shows on rerun or dvd. To all the KREM2 staff, keep up the fantastic work!

May 11, 2009 4:18 PM

shelly said:

...and I thank you for all of your efforts. I believe in all that you do and when these come on, our family watches them & thank that someone cares enough to stay on the air for hours to make sure we are safe. AND, keeping us post for the area so we can check in on people.

May 20, 2009 12:52 PM

James Hutts said:

Keep up the great work and even if you have to keep breaking into the shows.

June 1, 2009 6:20 PM

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