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Weatherman Takes His Storms Seriously

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By KURT LOFT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2007

TAMPA - TAMPA - If you follow storms, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes on The Weather Channel, you no doubt have seen Jim Cantore out in the field, battling the forces of nature.

He's been the channel's in-the-field meteorologist for two decades, and takes refuge in the studio only when nothing much is happening outside. We caught up with the 43-year-old Atlanta resident and asked about the hurricane season (which ends Nov. 30) and being an on-the-air storm chaser.

You spend a great deal of time covering storms and getting soaking wet. Does this give you a better appreciation for hurricanes than if you were behind a weather desk?

Firstly, no two storms are created equal and I learn something new from each one I cover. No question, I have more appreciation for these things by being out in them. If everyone had a chance to sample merchandise before they bought it, you wouldn't see as many items returned.

Weather reporting today is immediate and often intense. Are you better equipped as a reporter than those working a decade ago?

Having my laptop in the field is huge. I can see what is going on for myself and make my own judgment calls for our live crew. Before, it was like being out there with a blindfold. Now, I can see radar, satellite and other great stuff and have a feel for what a particular storm is going to do.

Case in point: When I woke up on the Saturday before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, I was nauseous when I saw the satellite picture of its size. I knew if I was going to save lives I had to change the tone of my presentation. It must have worked, because the mayor of Biloxi told me I scared the hell out of him.

Even with our technology, there is still a great deal of guesswork in hurricane tracking. Does it sometimes feel like the roll of the dice in predicting landfall?

I'm more concerned with intensity before landfall, especially when you think of how long it takes to convince people to leave. Hurricane Charley was a great example of what my biggest fear is — rapid intensification before landfall. What you expected to come in with 90 mph winds all of a sudden has 125 mph winds. It's like the difference in being hit in the head with a wooden spoon versus being hit in the head with a shovel.

What is your opinion of Florida and hurricanes – is the state a disaster waiting to happen? The insurance industry apparently thinks so.

Florida seems to have its act together in many ways when it comes to hurricanes, whether it be building codes, evacuation, education and preparation. Florida sets the bar for hurricane preparedness. That is not to say that catastrophic losses won't occur, but the communication from the state to the local level is very well done.

I think Gov. Crist will see that gets even better; I think he's for real. The cooperation from local officials with the media is second to none. From Pensacola to Fort Myers to Palm Bay, I have nothing to say but great things about these local governments and the way the cooperate with the media. They make sure you have the information you need to help them. The key is that everyone is on the same page and they respect what I am trying to do as much as I respect what they are trying to do.

If a category 4 or 5 hurricane struck the mouth of Tampa Bay, do you think we would be seeing another aftermath of Katrina?

This scenario depends on what the legacy of the hurricane was. The size and strength of Katrina built the monstrous surge and waves. If the storm you imagine was the size of Katrina and sat out in the south central Gulf of Mexico for a day and then moved right in without weakening, God help us all. I think the death toll could be worse, especially if people didn't heed the evacuation order. Imagine a Katrina-size storm with a Charley attitude that intensifies and accelerates upon landfall. Actually, I don't want to imagine it.

You seem to enjoy your work. What's the most fascinating aspect of it, and the most difficult?

The most fascinating is that most people know in their hearts I am true to my craft. The most difficult part is I know and have lived through what these monsters can do. Lives are changed forever. If the storm isn't going to be bad, I will tell you; but if I feel it is, you will know by my tone. Trust me — I have nothing to gain by hyping the weather. It speaks for itself, and I will speak for it.

Reporter Kurt Loft can be reached at (813) 259-7570 or kloft@tampatrib.com

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