A video of Weather Channel reporter Mike Seidel struggling to keep his footing while covering Hurricane Florence as two people walked behind him effortlessly went viral yesterday.
The video raised jeers and accusations on social media that the reporter was acting and that perhaps coverage of the storm was exaggerated.
However, there may be more than meets the eye to this viral video.
The Weather Channel released an official statement on the video and several of Seidel’s colleagues have taken to social media to defend him.
According to The Weather Channel, it is important to note that Seidel is trying to steady himself on wet grass, while the people walking by in the background are walking on concrete. The Weather Channel also notes that Seidel had been reporting on the hurricane since 1 a.m. and was battling fatigue in addition to the high winds.
According to colleague’s who defended him on social media, Seidel was standing in front of a building with wind blowing around it creating a funnel effect, so the winds were actually stronger where he was standing than across the street.
One colleague also notes that Seidel has been covering storms like this for years and stands where the weather is most visible to demonstrate the violence of the storm. He was also bracing himself not just for the wind that was present, but for sudden gusts that could have made him lose his footing.
Watch the video and decide for yourself.
The Weather Channel is based in Atlanta.
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