The Weather Channel is standing by its reporter Mike Seidel after a clip went viral on Friday of Seidel allegedly exaggerating the winds during a report on Hurricane Florence.
In the clip, Seidel can be seen standing on a patch of grass in Wilmington, North Carolina, which is currently battling hurricane turned tropical storm Florence.
“This is about as nasty as it’s been,” Seidel says during his report, as he appears to sway and struggle against the winds. Meanwhile, two people walk into view of the camera, and can be seen strolling in the background with apparent ease. The clip immediately picked up steam Friday on Twitter.
In a statement given to The Hollywood Reporter, The Weather Channel said, “It’s important to note that the two individuals in the background are walking on concrete, and Mike Seidel is trying to maintain his footing on wet grass, after reporting on-air until 1:00 a.m. ET this morning and is undoubtedly exhausted.”
According to the Associated Press, the death toll from Hurricane Florence rose to 11 on Saturday.
A day after blowing ashore with 90 mph winds, the storm practically parked itself over land all day long and poured on the rain. With rivers rising toward record levels, thousands of people were ordered to evacuate for fear the next few days could bring the most destructive round of flooding in North Carolina history.
Watch the clip below.
