1998 tornadoes: TV news shone in storm

Feb. 23--Twenty years ago, I wrote about the tornadoes that devastated Central Florida on Feb. 22 and 23, killing 42. The TV stations provided valuable coverage, and WESH-Channel 2 was exemplary for the work of meteorologist Brad Nitz, now at WSB in Atlanta.

Personalities change, technology improves, but the core issue remains public service.

Here's the column I wrote two decades ago:

The comparisons to the devastation left by Hurricane Andrew were inevitable, and Central Florida television seized on them in reporting this week's tornado disaster.

There was another notable similarity between the two catastrophes: the way local television responded to them.

One Miami station distinguished itself as Andrew ravaged South Florida, and all the stations demonstrated skill and community service in reporting the aftermath.

It was a peak for Miami television, and the tornado coverage was a high point for Orlando television.

WESH-Channel 2 stood out for providing invaluable information late Sunday and early Monday and for outpacing the competition.

WESH meteorologist Brad Nitz calmly and clearly monitored storms, advised viewers on how to protect themselves and provided astonishing detail from the Super Doppler radar.

Some readers have marveled that WESH did a more thorough job than the Weather Channel. Nitz projected when storms would reach residential areas to the minute and warned viewers who lived on specific streets.

It was a remarkable performance that demonstrated the highest use of television -- as a lifeline.

Like Bryan Norcross, Miami's hero of Andrew coverage, Nitz played lifesaver and comforter to frightened viewers. The Channel 2 team, led by anchors Terry Sater and Shannon Hori, performed admirably and steadily.

As the damage became apparent, Channel 2, WFTV-Channel 9 and WKMG-Channel 6 provided vital information, from death counts to school closings to insurance advice.

With their helicopters, the stations offered staggering views of the damage. Despite some speculative lapses, reporters told dozens of personal stories with sensitivity. Some reporters' shaken demeanor brought home the dire situation.

On a mission of aid, the stations threw out their regular daytime schedules and commercials Monday, and in doing so, helped marshal the public's response to the disaster.

The network affiliates' commitment continued through Monday with evening specials and extended newscasts.

This is the reason the stations have their Federal Communications Commission licenses, and Orlando television delivered a public service.

Central Florida News 13, owned by The Orlando Sentinel and Time Warner Communications, provided wall-to-wall coverage as well.

But presentation on the new 24-hour cable channel was weaker: Reporters' inexperience was evident on the big story. The channel lagged in providing aerial images. And its weather information was less detailed because the channel's equipment is not as sophisticated -- a situation that CFN13 plans to remedy.

As laudable as the three affiliates' commitment was, they probably should have broken away Monday afternoon to show President Clinton's comments about the United Nations agreement with Iraq. Channel 9 overstated the death toll Monday morning. Given hours to fill, the stations often resorted to anchor chatter.

But overall, coverage of the aftermath was noteworthy. Central Florida stations reminded viewers of television's power for good, as the South Florida stations had done six years ago.

Where do the stations go from here? Do they understand the lessons of the tornado coverage?

These were my impressions as a Miami TV critic after Andrew, and the tornado coverage has reaffirmed them:

Words matter as much as images, as Nitz's performance demonstrated. Reporters rise to the challenge when given substantial material to cover. Longer reports can be highly effective in a medium marked by sound bites and quick pacing.

Slickness has its limits. Splashy graphics, opulent sets and persistent promotion can upstage the crucial element: the thoroughness of the reporting. Do consultants drum home that message? It's worth remembering during a sweeps month.

Hurricane Andrew seemed a turning point for South Florida television, but a year later, stations had reverted to form.

This peak for local television may mean nothing to the thousands of Central Florida viewers dissatisfied with local news.

But the tornadoes revealed the power of TV news when stripped to its essence. Why can't local TV news be a public service every day?

hboedeker@orlandosentinel.com and 407-420-5756.

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