Fearless photographers
July 24, 2009This week I learned about the dedication of journalists and photographers. Let me begin by saying that this week was a crazy one weather-wise. The day would start off cloudy, then get hot as usual, but then in the evening a thunderstorm would pop up. Monday night was where all the action was, however.
We were going to have an early night on Monday. All the news had gotten in, and we were almost done putting the pages together at 7, when we heard that there was a tornado warning for Brazos County. Two editors left the Batt office (a mobile trailer) immediately, saying they were seeking shelter at the Rec. The rest of us decided to stay and finish the paper first, however. About 10 minutes later, though, a funnel cloud had formed over Kyle Field, and Mattie made the decision that everyone was going to evacuate to the MSC.
Our city editor was at this point conducting a phone interview. We finally had to tell her, “Meagan, GET OFF THE PHONE. We’re leaving.” We literally ran to the MSC because it was storming outside. Meagan said later that her first thought at this point is, “Dang. Now I’m going to have to write another news brief about the storm.”
We get inside the MSC, and all anyone wants to do is find a window to watch the storm. Meagan’s thinking of what to write in her brief. After about another half an hour, two photographers who had been in the office with us, Jeremy and Patrick, find us, completely soaked. We discover they have been outside photographing the funnel cloud this whole time. Then Jeremy has the great idea of getting the key to the radio club’s room, on the third floor, so that they can open the windows and get a picture of the lightning. Fearless photographers. After about another 45 minutes or so, the tornado warning goes away, we get back to the office and write the brief, with information about power outages and downed trees, accompanied by the funnel cloud shot. Just another long day at the office.
