Ike brings snakes and alligators!
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/12/art.ike.kayak.jpg]
Mike Phelan
Senior Producer
It's 7:30 at night, the sun just set and the electricity just went out. Its going to be a long night of howling winds, driving rains and no sleep.
No one sleeps in a hurricane even if your shift is done. The roof rattles and the windows vibrate or blowout. The barometric pressure drops and the rain pours down in sheets of warm tropical saltwater.
We cover these storms a lot, but this one is different. This time, the local folks keep telling me to watch out for the snakes and alligators. "They surface when the flood waters rise." Yikes! I can stand the wind and the rain, but not a gator crawling around at night while we work.
|
|
Filed under: Hurricane Ike |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
i'm in here south west Louisiana....we .buckled down for ike.....we are totally TIRED.......i just got my boards off my windows after 2 weeks with them on for gus then ike.....Please keep in your thoughts and prayers EVERYONE along the gulf coast. I can't imagine Cameron, LA. Lost everything for Rita 3 years ago, and now this.......can't imagine how it must feel to loose everything twice in 3 years due to a hurricane.
The snakes love debris. They likes to be in shade or in shallow hole. The gator like the mud. He is happy in a shallow muddy pool. The snake bite out of fear. The gator bites for fun or for a snack. If you need the picture for TV check in pile of debris underneath old pier where there is shallow muddy water. Look in early morning. Be sure it is plenty light. Be very careful around the water moccasin. He can rear up and bit you in the knee before you can jump.
Be sure to check yourselves for leeches, too. I went through several hurricanes growing up in Florida, and especially after the storm passes, leeches come out in force in the receding waters.
Please be careful out there.
We can miss a story but neither do we want to permanently miss a reporter nor their love ones either.
I think the companies' edge it sometimes TOO much.
Only repellant for snakes and gators is called,get the hell out of the water and do NOT take that risk.
Besides, CNN will be sorry gator bit you, your viewers will be sorry gator bit you, BUT you will be far more sorry that gator bit you.
What is the value of news, if risk is greater than worth.
As a former Carolina coast resident, I weathered a few storms myself. I can remember my first storm was Hugo and of course we didn't have power so we were listening to a battery powered radio, and the station was taking callers. One person called in and reported she had quite a few snakes on her porch. I was horrified. You guys have a lot more to protect yourselves from than just debris and water, please be careful.
Holy Snake Skin Boots, Batman!
Make sure you film one for us! Hehehe
I am from Michigan. Why is the gas in Michigan up over $5 per gallon and in Flushing it is $6.25??
This morning gas was only $3.85 in most places. Shouldn't this be outlawed? $3.85 per gallon is way too much to pay as it is. How can they get away with raise gas over $1 per gallon in one day's time? In some instances, it is even over $2 per gallon raise in one day's time. We need help. SOS
Advice: Stay out of the water.
Stay away from 'em creepy crawlies Mike, it isn't worth it..!!!
Nobody’s talking about what’s happening at NASA – I wonder if y'all will cover NASA at all? It’ll be interesting to see what, if anything happens there? I’m sure they are well prepared and under tight security, but, it would be interesting to see what they see from their perspective.
Pls take care of yourself & the Team!!
o man if its not one thing its another this storm sucks