A seasoned storm reporter witnessed Hurricane Ian’s intensity up close after it made landfall in Florida.
Video of the programme shows Jim Cantore, a meteorologist for The Weather Channel, broadcasting live in Punta Gorda on Wednesday while braving gusts of 110 mph.
Cantore commented at one point, standing in the street, “Yeah, this is extreme. A moment later, he was heard groaning as he hit the ground after being struck by a flying branch of a tree.
Cantore stood up after that and started to walk 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.”
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.”
A number of social media users voiced concern for Cantore’s safety. “Please get this man off the street,” wrote one, while another remarked, “IDK what Jim Cantore is getting paid, but it’s not enough.” Others pointed out that Cantore — whose Twitter bio reads “always awaiting mother natures latest temper tantrum” — has been reporting on the ground during storms for years.
