axkurtz's Blog

Well, I knew it was that time of year, when I received the text message on my phone a few weeks ago. I've since erased it but it went something to the effect like this:

"Photogs, we are now in hurricane season. Have your gear ready and be prepared to cover the storm. If you need a raincoat for your camera, now is the time to see me and get a new one. JM."

That was from our Chief Photographer Jeff Myers. On most day's he's like Santa on X-mas, ready to hand out nine volts for your wireless mic, beta SX tapes and lens fluid to keep the pictures appear like a well squeegeed window rather than the winshield of a Humvee in the desert of Iraq. But, on this day I noticed a more serious tone to his message. More like, "The apocalypse is coming and your gonna be out in the middle of it, so better not call me if your camera goes down!"

One of the toughest stories to cover in this biz is of course, the hurricane. No matter how many times you do it, you never get used to it. I mean, what's there to like about being soaked to the bone, sand blasted into oblivion, and worst of all, cold wet feet for 24+ hours

Here's a few things I learned and will gladly share with you. Forget about trying to stay dry, period. No raincoat protection or 40 gallon Glad Hefty bags are going to keep rain (and sand) from seeping in somewhere. I like to wear a pair of those, I call them SUV flip-flops. You know the kind with all the neoprene and rubber around your foot. They're great because they protect your toes but also you can rinse them off at the end of the day and there good to go.

Another thing I like to wear is a pair of those lightwieght runner shorts. They'll dry fast too (remember your Maytag drying machine will probably be out) and you'll be ready to go the next morning. Flashlights are super important. Get one of those Super High Beam one's if you're gonna be travelling in you car at night especially on the Outer Banks. When the lights go out you'll miss all the important landmarks you're used to seeing, like 7-11 and Mickey D's.

Pack plenty of food and water. Nothing will be open. And, if they are, they've already been ransacked by the locals, so more likely you'll be left with pork rinds and bubble gum. So, bring your own supply and eat well. You'll need it for the five days BEFORE the storm comes when the assignment desk sends you out to cover every PRE-hurricane story.

More to come later. . .