The Weather Channel took its severe weather coverage to a whole new level during the recent floods in Wagga Wagga, NSW. A live link truck and our close relationship with the State Emergency Service meant some new ground was broken by our on location crew and it resulted in comprehensive coverage that took us to the forefront of all media outlets.Meteorologist Magdalena Roze experienced all the elements as she reported from the flood ravaged town. From the rising flood waters to severe storms which battered Wagga with winds of close to 100km/hr, Mags brought the story of the city’s heartbreak to the rest of the nation. She shares, “Reporting on any type of severe weather is challenging- whilst most film crews try and escape the bad weather, we’re chasing it! But more difficult than getting drenched, is experiencing the tragedy of how people are affecting by flooding first-hand. I feel a real responsibility in sharing these stories with other Australians and being as informative as possible.”
The live link truck allowed Magdalena to show direct impact and devastation the flooding had caused. Homes were evacuated as flood waters rose and emergency volunteers worked hard to reinforce the levee protecting the town as well as sandbagging homes and businesses. TV stations were camped out in Wagga to cover the story but only one reporter was chosen to join the SES as they conducted aerial surveillance of the widespread flooding. Magdalena said, “Getting up in the SES helicopter allowed me to fully grasp how extensive the flooding was across parts of NSW. Rivers and creeks were overflowing, and paddocks and roads inundated as far as the eye could see. It was heartbreaking to see the impact this was having on farming communities.”
Wagga Wagga was just one of the stories in a sea of flood water that has wiped billions of dollars off the grain harvest and left farmers facing even more hardship than the decade of drought that came before it. Make sure you catch the Weather Channel special on the Eastern Flooding as it show cases from this Wednesday 22nd December on Channel 603, the Weather Channel.
