They got the short end of the stick! Sky News, BBC and ITV reporters are being battered by the elements in Storm Ciaran
Unlucky Sky, ITV and BBC reporters were battered by the elements today as they battled the hurricane-force winds of Storm Ciaran live on air.
Ashna Hurynag reported on the storma short distance off the coast at St. Helier, Jersey, when she suddenly disappeared from view after being knocked to the ground by the storm.
The Channel Islands have suffered the worst effects of Ciaran so far, with dozens of people evacuated from their homes as roofs were blown off and windows smashed, while winds were reported to reach speeds of up to 180 km/h.
As the correspondent battled the wind, she spoke to her colleagues in their London studio. She joked with viewers: “It has to be said, I have never felt such wind speeds before.”
“We’re told winds are exceeding 100 miles per hour and just looking at the sea behind me you can see those huge waves crashing against the shore,” she added, before disappearing from the screens for a moment.
She stands back up, chuckles awkwardly and adds, “You can see how the wind pushed me over at that moment” before warning the watching audience to “stay home.”
Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain viewers criticized ITV for also sending its journalists out to brave the worst of the storm to report on the weather bomb, despite gale-force winds and heavy rain.
Ashna Hurynag was talking a short distance off the stormy coast of St Helier, on the island of Jersey, when she was pushed to the ground and briefly disappeared from the screens
Another Sky correspondent, Dan Whitehead, was also dispatched to cover the storm in Cornwall, where he spoke about the orange weather warning
Good Morning Britain viewers criticized ITV for sending its journalists to report on the weather bomb, despite forecasts of wind speeds of up to 110mph
Jonathan Swain was seen in Bude, Cornwall, as heavy rain continued to pour down on him as Richard Gainsford spoke from Brighton in East Sussex as waves crashed against the sea wall.
BBC’s Dan Johnson was in St Hellier, Jersey, reporting on the treacherous conditions, getting drenched in the rough sea spray and pouring rain.
The weather bombshell has led emergency workers to warn people to stay away from coastal paths amid fears that 10-metre waves could push passers-by into the sea, while the Met Office issued an amber ‘danger to life’ warning due to flying debris.
Many viewers tuning into GMB this morning branded the broadcaster’s decision to send journalists into the dangerous storm ‘totally irresponsible’, despite warning the public not to go outside.
One wrote on social media; ‘Crazy, that’s where you warn people that there is a danger to life, especially near the coast, so GMB just sends reporters there, not just one but three different places, absolute madness and totally irresponsible.’
Another said: ‘Typical GMB sends a reporter and then tells everyone to stay indoors.’
‘Weather warnings, so what does GMB do? Send reporters to be in it,” a third added. A fourth said: ‘Why do shows do this in bad weather guys? We know what cold and windy looks like. Bring them in with a cup of tea.’
ITV reporter Jonathan Swain was spotted in Bude, Cornwall, as the rain continued to pour down on him
JERSEY: Dozens of people on the Channel Island have been forced to take refuge in a hotel after winds exceeding 100mph tore through storm-damaged properties
KENT: The weather bomb has led emergency workers to warn people to stay away from coastal paths amid fears that 10-metre waves could push passers-by into the sea
Those watching Good Morning Britain this morning condemned the show for sending reporters into the dangerous weather conditions
Sky viewers also cursed studio bosses for sending their reporter into the treacherous weather.
One wrote: ‘There’s a warning about a threat to life, so your producers decide it’s wise to make your reporter aware of it. Wouldn’t it be safer to just set up a camera and not endanger anyone’s safety?’
Another said: ‘People are being evacuated. I know, let’s send a reporter to this dangerous island.’
The storm hit Britain overnight, causing chaos on the roads, as commuters were told to work from home where they could, and hundreds of schools closed their doors.
According to the Environment Agency, flooding is expected in 54 areas, mainly on the south coast.
A major incident has been declared in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight due to the expected pressure on local services.
In Jersey, people have been forced to take refuge in a hotel after winds of more than 100mph damaged properties due to the storm.
In a statement on
Meanwhile, Cornwall Council said more than 8,500 homes in the county are without power as a result of the storm.