Erroneous severe report 'video'

[Paul Knightley]

Hi all,

Merry Christmas to you all, and wishing a Happy New Year to all ST members and families, etc.

Whilst browsing for footage of the Campo tornado on YouTube, I happened across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKmSyb5Rujw&feature=related

It's obviously intended to be amusing, but I for one don't see that at all - given the discussions on ST in the past I don't imagine others will too TBH.

 

[Jeff Duda]

I didn't think it was funny, rather a pretty bad attempt at being funny. But at the same time I didn't find it offensive or tasteless either.

 

[ChristianTerry]

This is terrible. During the middle of a severe weather outbreak this is the worst kind of thing to do.

 

[Keith Wilson]

And this guy could easily attend spotter training and become a "trained" spotter tomorrow, if he hasn't already.

 

[Bart_Comstock]

In several past instances the FBI has been asked to investigate hoaxes and prank calls like this due to the fact they can distract the NWS, prompt false warning, or the reallocation of emergency services to an area that doesn't need it.

I know last year a guy make hoax reports and sent them to two local tv stations in my area (including one I chased for) and those reports were then sent on to the NWS who went on to issue a warning. After realizing they were a hoax Tulsa's WSO asked the FBI to look into the false reports and to investigate if a federal crime had been committed.

 

[Kris Harmon]

Making a call like that should be the same as making an false 911 call. Punishable by fine and/or jail time. The kind of person that would make that call is beyond me.

 

[Jason Foster]

LOL...you guys getting all serious. Even the the news director (or whomever was on the phone) started laughing. Folks....really. Also...be sure to read the description.

If anything is to be taken away from this is that it isn't hard to find ways to screw with the process. Also that open posting, blogs and more are read and can be twisted for ones own goals and objectives.

 

[Mike Clay]

I was on the air at Bay News 9 during this event. I double checked the LSR and it never made it to the NWS. I don't think the girl at the assignment's desk ever passed this on to the weather office, if she did, we ignored it.

But still, not funny and we'll get it pulled from You Tube asap.

Mike Clay
Chief Meteorologist
Bay News 9
Tampa Bay
[email protected]

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

As already stated, this was a prank (which was made obvious fairly quickly to the women taking the call). The main issues I have with this:

- It was done during an ongoing life threatening event (a tornado in the area). What if because of this 'prank' needed info wasn't relayed in time and loss of life occurred?

- Whats to stop the next punk kid from doing something similar the next time a tornado (or something life threatening) is in the area?

- What if people decide to 'one up' this guy and call the NWS directly instead of calling a TV station?

Again, I realize what was in this video was an obvious prank - but I think this needs to be taken care of ASAP so making reports does not turn into a big joke...

 

[Dennis Dennison]

Man thanks about typical for the current generation on (I will be politically correct here and not insert any form of descriptive-so insert you own choice)

 

[Paul Knightley]

@Mike - that's a very rapid response, and many thanks.

Obviously it is a prank, but as has been said, the middle of a life-threatening situation is not the place.