David Mattingly | BIO
AC360° Correspondent
For the last several days I have been hearing Tropical Storm Hanna described as “disorganized” and “poorly shaped”. This kind of unflattering talk has apparently made Hanna mad.
This storm is getting it’s act together just in time to hit the northern South Carolina coast tonight. I am in Myrtle Beach where we’ve been told to not be surprised to see Hanna become a hurricane just as it arrives late tonight.
A lesson from the recent past should tell us not to take Tropical Storm Hanna lightly. If predictions are correct and it upgrades to a Cat 1 hurricane before landfall, don’t make the mistake of calling it a “minimal” hurricane.
The last time I was reporting live from a Cat 1 Hurricane I was knocked off the air by torrential rains. I remarked later (after we re-established a signal) that it was pouring so hard I would choke on the blowing rain as I tried to breathe.
That happened three years ago in Hollywood, Florida and the storm was called “Katrina”. That “minimal” Cat 1 left behind widespread flooding in Florida before moving on to terrorize the Gulf Coast.
Hanna is expected to go north and diminish as it goes up the eastern seaboard. But all hurricanes deserve respect. Here’s hoping Hanna remains “just” a tropical storm.
| Megan Dresslar |
September 5th, 2008 5:11 pm ET Hi David Mattingly, |
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| Marcy |
September 5th, 2008 5:12 pm ET i’m just impressed about hanna’s boot. Have you guys seen the track and if you look at it she has formed a boot. A girl with her own accessories, what more could you ask for. Marcy |
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| Annie Kate |
September 5th, 2008 9:00 pm ET I hope Hanna doesn’t cause wide-spread flooding in NC and SC like a hurricane did a few years ago. Picture the Midwest earlier this year and that was about the same level of flooding NC and SC got from a fairly “mild” hurricane. Stay safe David as you report and keep away from streams that could have a sudden rise in water level and cut you off. Annie Kate |
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| Trudy in Peoria |
September 5th, 2008 9:57 pm ET Notice how the “girl” hurricanes have been wandering and indecisive in their tracks this year, like Hannah, Josephine, and Fay? An interesting coincidence, but you can see the humor in the metaphor. |
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| Michael, NC |
September 6th, 2008 11:12 am ET David- Happy you and your crew are all ok, too bad we didn’t get to see your piece. You are a great reporter. |
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