While Hurricane Ian was wreaking havoc on parts of Florida last week, some residents were able to assure their loved ones that they were safe by posting first-hand accounts of the devastation via social media.
Fox News reporters Alexandria Huff and Phil Keating joined “Media Buzz” Sunday to answer questions about the role social media played and the substance of some of the reporting that took place in the days leading up to and after the hurricane was over.
Huff said social media played a big part in helping people communicate with their loved ones.
“For some reason, people may not have been able to get cell service or make emergency calls but they were able to post on Twitter,” said Huff. “We talked to one woman who wasn’t able to get in touch with her family but was able to communicate with them on Facebook.”
Huff said the job of the media in cases of natural disasters, is to showcase the dangers and to go where most people would not.
“We just don’t want to sensationalize,” she added.
Fox News correspondent Phil Keating said he’s covered more than 30 hurricanes and every one of them is uniquely dangerous.
Weather Channel reporter Jim Cantore was struck by a tree branch on live television as the hurricane made landfall.
“I think we are all in agreement that when it’s too dangerous you don’t want to risk your life,” he said. “It is what we do, you’re going to be wet and you’re going to be blowing around a little bit. At the end of the day, it’s not exactly fun but we think it’s important.”
