This storm saw the staff decentralized, and as internet and mobile access was interrupted, it became particularly challenging to keep in touch with one another. “We’d invite everybody in the newsroom, their families and pets. “We had been in a building that acted as a shelter for our newsroom during all other storms,” Powell explained. In past hurricane events, members of the newsroom would congregate to ride out the storm and plan their post-hurricane coverage. It was a wise decision because many of the causeways and bridges sustained damage, cutting off access in and out of the worst-ravaged coastal communities. “In the past, we’ve tried to have reporters out on some of the barrier islands, but during past storms, there was a concern for their safety, so we didn’t do that with this storm,” the executive editor said. They planned out some coverage topics and assigned them according to geography, forming “geo teams.” They discussed practical matters, like where to take shelter and get supplies. “Everybody’s a hurricane reporter,” Powell said. In the background is Mark Bickel giving directions to reporters from the Palm Beach Post.īefore the storm, the news publisher produced hurricane guides for readers and subscribers.įor the journalists at the Naples Daily News, Hurricane Ian became a focal point. USA TODAY Editors Wendy Fullerton Powell, Cindy McCurry at the forefront. As I’ve been saying all week, this is not just a story we’re telling it’s a story we’re living.” We’re storing some of their stuff in open spaces in our newsroom. They’re looking for places to go, and we’re trying to help them. “A lot of our staff has been affected personally by this. While she recounted her team’s experiences covering the hurricane, she watched in the distance as helicopters continued to evacuate residents from islands off the coast. E&P spoke with her by phone the Saturday after the storm. They’re doing a hell of a job,” she lauded the power company and coordinating officials.Īs executive editor at the Naples Daily News, Powell leads the newsroom’s journalists as many of them report on the storm’s wrath while attempting to recover and rebuild their own lives. “They’re getting more and more neighborhoods up and running by the hour. Hurricane Ian’s violent storm surge severely damaged her house and neighborhood. Wendy Fullerton Powell is one of the hundreds of thousands of Florida homes without power. Orange fills most of the map, representing people, homes and businesses that can’t expect to see power restored for at least the next week. On the Naples Daily News’ home page, there’s a colorful map tracking power outages across the region - each color represents estimates of how long it will take to restore power.
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