Tornado alert gets complaints, reporter gets mad on live TV
Some viewers may have found the alerts annoying, but it likely saved lives.
Multiple tornadoes tore through Ohio late Monday night, killing at least one person, and leaving a path of destruction that looked like a "war zone," according to one witness.
The severe storms in the area prompted several weather watches and warnings, which were broadcast on live TV, interrupting scheduled programs.
Fox 45 meteorologist Jamie Simpson received several angry complaints about interrupting a televised broadcast of "The Bachelorette" to inform the public about the life-threatening situation occurring in the area.
Nearly 2,000 people commented on a Facebook post announcing the live television updates. While some people thanked Simpson for his efforts, a significant portion of the comments came from angry Bachelorette fans.
"Thanks for ruining my night, Jamie. You ruined Bachelorette for everyone," one person said.
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"Who cares," said another user. "Get off my TV."
That's when Simpson interrupted his own forecast to relay the severity of the situation.
"This is a dangerous situation, OK? ... I’m sick and tired of people complaining about this," he said on live TV.
"Our job here is to keep people safe and that’s what we’re going to do. Some people complaining that it’s all about my ego — stop. Ok, just stop right now. It’s not. I’m done with you people. I really am. This is pathetic."
Simpson refused to return to regular programming. According to The Weather Channel in the U.S., that may have saved lives, with a powerful tornado touching down in Daytona later that evening.
While Simpson later apologized for his on-air chiding, he reiterated that safety is his priority.
ALERT READY KEEPS CANADIANS SAFE
The complaints echo a problem Canadian emergency responders have had to contend with in recent months.
Alert Ready is a national public alerting system operated by The Weather Network's parent company, Pelmorex Media.
In April 2018, all Canadian wireless providers were required to participate in the program.
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Alert Ready broadcasts the presence of potentially-life threatening situations on TV, the radio and through cell phone alerts.
Alerts can be triggered by man-made or weather-related disasters. Amber alerts are included as well.
There have been several reports of residents flooding police departments with complaints when alerts have been issued.
PUBLIC ALERTING SAVES LIVES
While some residents have complained that the noise public alerts make is disruptive, officials say the warnings are important and effective.
In September, an Ottawa family credited Alert Ready with saving their lives by warning them of a destructive tornado, minutes before it struck their home.