Bermuda has become a prime destination for international media outlets seeking to produce live, on-site coverage of the approach, arrival and hopeful departure of Hurricane Fiona in the coming hours.
ABC’s senior meteorologist Rob Marciano, is among the many journalists now on the Island producing reports.
Marciano’s first video report aired on Wednesday night during the network’s World News Tonight with David Muir, in which, along with details of the approaching weather system, he relayed to viewers the sturdy manner of building construction mandated by governmental building codes, how locals catch and store water in underground tanks, as well as the fact that rainwater has been in short supply as of late.
Rival network NBC is also in Bermuda, with American Emmy Award-winning anchor, journalist and reporter Morgan Chesky today interviewing National Security Minister Michael Weeks at Albouy’s Point, while getting the latter’s take on the current status of Bermuda and safety measures being implemented by Government.
Morgan Chesky is an American Emmy Award journalist serving as an anchor and a reporter for correspondent news in NBC News Dallas Texas. He previously served as a news anchor at KOMO 4 news for two years, ABC affiliate station as weekday evening news anchor. He has been working with the NBC team since December 2018.
TNN’s no less intrepid reporter Trevor Lindsay also caught up with Minister Weeks and asked him about the influx of foreign media and the questions and concerns they’d presented.
“I really appreciate them coming out of concern for Bermuda,” began Minister Weeks. “And we are ready Trevor.
“Having them come here is plus and I the public should realise that this thing is serious and it can turn toward us.
“So, Bermuda be safe, get ready and be prepared. And I stress always, ‘Look our for our seniors! Look out for those that are vulnerable!’
“And those that need assistance or need shelter, Cedarbridge Academy is open from 5 pm this evening.”
Minister told of his response to one reporter, who had asked him to compare and contrast Bermuda’s buildings to those commonly found in Puerto Rico, which pummelled the US colony, destroying homes, flooding roads and leaving millions without power.
“I said, with pride, that the building code in Bermuda is almost comparable to none,” intimated Mr Weeks. “How we build our structures using stone, concrete,mortar, brick and the like, as well as how we build independently, with deeply dug foundations.
“Those are the things, as I told the NBC reporters, which make you comfortable, whereby, when you’re inside, you feel safe within a Bermuda home.
“And I could say that to them with pride.”
Further queried as to what the public should do if, in fact, the storm shifts closer than anticipated, the Minister stressed how persons should take maximum precautions and not underestimate the power and potential of Fiona to adversely impact Bermuda.
“We should batten down the hatches regardless, because nature is unpredictable,” he said. “Right now the hardest winds we’re looking at are of Category One strength 65 miles per hour or thereabouts.
“So, nature’s unpredictability should encourage u to batten down now, because, what we don’t want to do is NOT batten down the hatches and it does turn towards us.
“My philosophy is that, ‘It’s better to be ready and not need it, rather than need it and not be ready.’
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.