Grumpy Editor

Reno P-51 plane crash stories put pilot's age in spotlight

Print and broadcast news coming out of Reno following Friday’s crash of a World War II-era P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft all reported --- within the first three paragraphs --- that the pilot was 74 years old, implying age was a factor in the incident that left 10 people dead, including the pilot, and scores injured, observes Grumpy Editor.

However, images captured as the aircraft spiraled out of control and crashed showed a chunk of the tail section was missing. 

Experts identified the missing part appeared to be an elevator trim tab that affects control of the aircraft.

Pilot Jimmy Leeward, of Ocala, Fla., was a veteran airman and movie stunt pilot and participated before in the National Championship Air Races.

The Reno event operated under stringent Federal Aviation Administration regulations.  That included examinations of pilots’ qualifications, their aircraft and records plus a requirement that participants complete rigorous training prior to the annual competition. 

Meanwhile, reporters disclosed that the Reno airport where the air race was conducted was then closed while officials conducted an investigation. 

Not one mentioned that the crash occurred at Reno-Stead Airport, not at the unaffected larger Reno-Tahoe International Airport, eight miles away. 

 

As TV news eyes ratings, Hurricane Irene’s eye fizzles

In going with wall-to-wall coverage of Hurricane Irene over the weekend, television cable news channels --- encouraged by forecasts --- on Friday night initially figured a monster storm would raise havoc on the East Coast and their on-scene reporters would give an historic play by play, notes Grumpy Editor.  ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and CNN all had their top talent on camera during the weekend.

Wind-blown reporters standing (by tradition) in the rain, often with crashing surf as backdrops, did their jobs.  But fizzling Irene, downgraded to a tropical storm before reaching New York, let them down.

With no catastrophe to report, especially in the New York City area --- where authorities shut down airports and transit operations ahead of the storm --- the main focus became flooded streets, power outages and downed trees.

Disappointment in the tone of reporting came Sunday morning, as one network reporter tried to keep news directors’ spirits up (and viewers glued to TV sets) by cautioning, “There still is concern here.”

One TV meteorologist, mid-day Sunday, confessed Irene would be remembered “not as a wind storm, but as a flooding storm.”

An early indication of possible doom came five days earlier when an Associated Press story warned, “Forecasters say the hurricane could grow to a monstrous Category 4 storm with winds of more than 131 m.p.h. before it’s predicted to come ashore this weekend on the U.S. mainland.”

After Irene reached the eastern fringes of North Carolina, a parade of state and federal officials issued dire warnings and told residents to evacuate.  President Barack Obama made two appearances on national television.

“Breaking news” banners peppered TV screens.

Grumpy Editor noticed several TV appearances of Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  That contrasted with virtually no media mention of FEMA earlier this year when extensive floods for days smacked the U.S. along the Mississippi River.

With Irene fading and sunshine appearing yesterday morning, a TV newsman went into detailed coverage of a Long Island hotel parking lot under 18 inches of water.

The headline on Howard Kurtz’s media blog for The Daily Beast yesterday summed up the meteorological event with:  A Hurricane of Hype.

Across the Atlantic in London, a Daily Telegraph headline over a comprehensive storm story read:  Perfect Storm of Hype:  Politicians, the media and the Hurricane Irene apocalypse that never was.

 

Tropical storms again grab attention of news editors

Extreme tropical winds, especially with the hurricane season running through Nov. 30, grab the attention of both print and broadcast news editors even when the disturbances are far from U.S. shores, notes Grumpy Editor.

Print editors, for example, are inclined to yank a story about Boy Scouts performing good deeds in favor of an article on swirling winds, complete with photos of swaying palm trees, heading westward across the Atlantic Ocean or moving northward along the eastern Pacific. 

Editors this week are focusing on three windy tropical storms. 

Biggest one, Hurricane Dora, a lengthy 1,400 miles southeast of San Diego, is churning eastern Pacific seas offshore from the central coast of Mexico.  It’s moving northwest at about 13 m.p.h. but (sadly for some in newsrooms) is expected to weaken today. 

In the Atlantic, tropical storm Cindy, in the news for several days, poses no threat to land as it moves eastward in the north Atlantic, southeast of Newfoundland. 

Tropical storm Bret grows weaker as it heads northeast, away from the Bahamas.

Many print and broadcast news editors remain disappointed from last year.

Despite National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predictions that eight to 14 named Atlantic storms would reach hurricane force in 2010, not one made in to the U.S.

 

Joplin receives promises but scant rebuilding details

While the devastation by a massive tornado at Joplin is getting much coverage, little has been reported on aid --- financial and other --- from the Missouri city of 50,000, nine days after the twister struck and even after a Sunday visit by President Barack Obama, notes Grumpy Editor. 

About 8,000 homes and business are destroyed or damaged. 

Many soothing statements and promises from officials are reported, but much concrete information on getting Joplin back on track is missing.  Print and broadcast media should ask more questions starting with when and how.

Associated Press quotes President Obama, after touring the smashed area, vowing, “We’re not going to stop ‘til Joplin’s back on its feet.”  The New York Times reports Obama declaring, “The cameras may leave.  The spotlight may shift.  But we will be with you every step of the way until Joplin is restored.” 

Nice words.  But missing are details on a battleplan pointing the way on how Joplin gets back on its feet and is restored soonest. 

Closest to indicating financial help is a Wall Street Journal story last Thursday that mentions the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “opened a mobile disaster recovery center in Joplin on Wednesday to assist tornado-tossed residents with requests for federal aid.”

Unlike hefty grants or billions in foreign aid, however, is that filling out FEMA paper work may lead to low-interest loans up to $200,000 to homeowners for repair or replacement of property.

Not much is being said about assistance to Joplin businesses.

Other than St. John’s Hospital, badly damaged by the tornado, storm-hit businesses in the city get scant coverage.

Over the weekend, St. John’s --- in action reminiscent of M*A*S*H, the 1972-1983 CBS-TV series about Army medics in a field hospital during the Korean War --- set up a temporary medical facility close to its badly damaged 10-story building.

Other research by Grumpy Editor finds the twister closed:

• Three Wendy’s/Arby’s Group restaurants.
• Two Walgreens stores.
• A McDonald’s restaurant.
• A Wal-Mart store with a lost roof.
• Two Commerce Bank offices.
• A Home Depot store.

Meanwhile, a General Mills plant experienced minor damage.

On the prompt progress side, a destroyed hair salon structure is being rebuilt, framing already in place --- with work started before FEMA came on the scene.

 

With Joplin in wreckage, Obama seeks roots in Ireland

After a monster tornado sliced through Joplin, Mo. Sunday night, leaving three fourths of the city of 50,000 in rubble, thousands of those affected were eagerly awaiting word of prompt federal assistance, notes Grumpy Editor. 

As the Joplin death toll yesterday passed the 100 mark, President Barack Obama was monitoring the situation --- from the tiny village of Moneygall in Ireland where he sought information on family roots, part of a week-long tour of Europe. 

Only reference to possible federal aid to Joplin, 160 miles south of Kansas City, was found in an Associated Press story reporting the president said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was working with state and local agencies. 

But there were no reports Monday that FEMA, with more than 3,700 full-time employees, had promptly dispatched a team to the Joplin disaster site where the massive twister sliced a path a half-mile wide and six miles long, smacking homes, businesses, churches, schools and a 10-story hospital. 

However, FEMA released a news release yesterday that mentioned, “At the president's request, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate will travel to Missouri to ensure that the state has all the support it needs, and today FEMA Deputy Administrator Rich Serino will also travel to Joplin to tour the damages and meet with state and local officials.” 

Other killer twisters Sunday hit Kansas and Minnesota.

Today from London, Obama said he will visit Joplin on Sunday, one week after the massive tornado struck. 

 

Forced flooding in Louisiana seen spurring heated debate

With a large section of Louisiana under water after a spillway was intentionally opened --- affecting thousands of homes, businesses, pastures and farmland --- look for heating discussions soon on natural vs. man-made flooding, predicts Grumpy Editor.

That aspect has not yet crossed minds of major media editors.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, declaring “public safety is our No. 1 priority,” opened the Morganza (Louisiana) Spillway May 14, sending torrents of water --- at 125,000 cubic feet per second  --- flowing southward into the Atchafalaya River basin.

Engineers said the diversion was to forestall potentially catastrophic damage farther downstream.

Posted on the National Flood Insurance Program Web page:  “Floods are the No. 1 natural disaster in the United States.”

Some people with property now under water (especially those without flood insurance) in the days ahead will question the word “natural,” since the flow from Morganza was intentional.

Factors in flood risk, according to the government:  rainfall, river flow, tidal-surge data, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to building and development.

No mention about forced release of water from a spillway.

Current flood damage already has revived a decades-old debate about  cost of rebuilding and compensating residents for the loss of homes and farms in high-risk areas. Some have been pushing for a harder look at regulations, saying initiatives like the National Flood Insurance Program need to be revised.

 

Disaster victim? Grumpy Editor lists how FEMA aids

With thousands of homeowners, farmers and businesses hit by floods, tornadoes and fires, displaced victims are wondering how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can assist, finds Grumpy Editor.

National media, especially television, are providing fine coverage of the devastation hitting many parts of the U.S. 

However, aside from efforts by volunteers along with the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other groups, little is being said about financial and other assistance to those with lost or damaged property seeking to recover soonest. 

FEMA, with more than 3,700 full time employees, points out disaster aid comes in the form of money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses whose properties --- not covered by insurance --- have been damaged or destroyed.

It is designed to help with critical expenses that cannot be covered in other ways but is not intended to restore damaged property to its pre-disaster condition.

Most disaster assistance from the federal government comes via loans administered by the Small Business Administration. 

For most victims, housing is most needed. 

Here, in FEMA’s own words, is how the agency helps:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Temporary Housing (a place to live for a limited period of time): Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available. [The FEMA site (listed at the bottom here), provides information on housing rental sources.]

Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary and functional.

Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing a destroyed home.

Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Along with housing assistance, FEMA says it has money available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by a disaster.

This includes:

*  Disaster-related medical and dental costs.

*  Disaster-related funeral and burial costs.

*  Clothing; household items (room furnishings, appliances); tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).

*  Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas).

*  Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).

*  Disaster damaged vehicles.

*  Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).

*  Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.

*  Other expenses that are authorized by law. 

FEMA also provides other services, including crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance, legal services and special tax considerations.

For further details, go to www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm

 

After real disasters, AP follows with Arctic oil ‘what if’

Latest media scare, following other “what if” scenarios in recent weeks focusing on earthquakes and nuclear fears, came over the weekend --- sprouting from the one-year anniversary of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill --- when Associated Press emphasized risks with Arctic oil drilling, observes Grumpy Editor.

As gasoline prices neared or passed the $5-a-gallon mark, and keeping in mind that more U.S. oil production would ease that problem, the AP “iffy” story with a Washington dateline warned: 

“A year after the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, some experts are pondering the next doomsday scenario: a massive oil well blowout in the icy waters off Alaska’s northern coast.” 

AP’s Dina Cappiello pointed out “a spill in the Arctic risks tainting a pristine landscape, one that has not been as well studied and where drilling in federal waters is limited.” 

She added, “That makes it harder to determine what toll a spill would have on the endangered polar bears, migrating whales and other wildlife that make use of the seas.” 

Now all this dire chatter came within days of floods, wildfires and tornadoes hitting a large region of the lower 48, resulting in scores of deaths, damaging or leveling hundreds of homes and businesses --- and, yes, endangering and killing wildlife.

What's more, high waters, fires and tornadoes continued over the weekend and today around the country.

Instead of periodic “what if” pieces, writing efforts should focus on follow-ups to real recent happenings --- major natural disasters with emphasis on how the now homeless and displaced residents and businesses are coping along with status and promptness, if any, of vital aid (local and from Washington) to the many affected areas. 

 

FEMA rather quiet as floods, fires, tornadoes smack U.S.

Receiving heavy broadcast/print coverage since the weekend are floods in North Dakota and Minnesota, wildfires in Texas and tornadoes in Iowa and Wisconsin but a missing element in nearly all stories is mention of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), notes Grumpy Editor.

This is the agency that has brought criticism in the past for slow response to natural disasters.  Most noteworthy is the intense criticism of its reaction to Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005.

FEMA, part of the Department of Homeland Security since 2003, describes its mission is “to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

The agency --- with more than 3,700 full-time employees and nearly 4,000 standby disaster assistance workers available for deployment after calamities --- says it is aware that “every year, millions of Americans face disaster, and its terrifying consequences.”

FEMA’s activities include “making disaster assistance available to states, communities, businesses and individuals.”

Of the major disasters in the past few days, Mapleton, a western Iowa town of 1,200, is especially hard hit.

A Saturday tornado, described as being three quarters of a mile wide, destroys about 100 homes and displaces about half the town.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad declares a disaster emergency in Pocahontas County.

Seven tornadoes hit Wisconsin, including one causing widespread damage to homes and businesses in Merrill.

In North Dakota, about 425 National Guard members are geared up to assist in evacuations in Cass County as the Red River reaches its fourth highest level in recorded history.

In Texas, out-of-control wildfires are scorching more than 400 square miles across the state.  Blazes destroy about 34 homes in Midland County.

A detailed Associated Press wildfire story out of Fort Worth mentions FEMA midway through the piece.

But reference that FEMA “was expected to respond to some of the state’s massive fires” comes from --- a Texas Forest Service spokesman.

In the dissemination of information department, the latest FEMA news release, with yesterday’s date:  “National Volunteer Week 10-16 April 2011.”

Prior to that, the agency’s April 8 releases focus on “FEMA to evaluate readiness in Pennsylvania” plus “Federal aid programs for Hawaii disaster recovery” and “President declares major disaster for Hawaii.”