The warnings began last week. Preparations were advised. Citizens were urged to use caution. Escape was suggested if possible. The news and weather channels blared the dire forecast: this would be a very hot and humid week in the Midwest! But folks, it is August.
In a country were most of us have very little to fear, the cable news channels and the Weather Channel often rely on the entertainment value of worry and fear. Watching their coverage of terrorism, illegal immigration, contaminated foods, global warming, contagious disease and the hazards of travel, it is a wonder any of us leave our homes. Attempting to fill 24 hours with weather forecasts and weather-related news, the Weather Channel has come up with fillers such as "Storm Stories" and "It Could Happen Tomorrow" to keep us tuned in. Focusing on past and future weather disasters, these shows help to ensure that we will rely on their channel to keep us out of danger.
While specific warnings about tornados, hurricanes and flash floods are invaluable in saving lives, the dramatic forecasts of other common weather phenomenon seem to induce more fear and worry than is necessary. How did we ever manage before we had this minute to minute weather coverage? Knowing these dire forecasts and having the temperature flashed at us from every building in town, we just focus more on what we can't control. Common sense is all we really need.
