President Trump lashed out at the media for reporting his warning Sunday that Alabama could be hit by Hurricane Dorian.
ABC News’ Jonathan Karl was singled out even though it was the National Weather Service that initially issued what appeared to be a corrective tweet in response to Trump’s take on the projected track of the storm.
“Such a phony hurricane report by lightweight reporter @jonkarl of @ABCWorldNews. I suggested yesterday at FEMA that, along with Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, even Alabama could possibly come into play, which WAS true. They made a big deal about this … when in fact, under certain original scenarios, it was in fact correct that Alabama could have received some ‘hurt,’” Trump said in a pair of tweets Monday. “Always good to be prepared! But the Fake News is only interested in demeaning and belittling. Didn’t play my whole sentence or statement. Bad people!”
….when in fact, under certain original scenarios, it was in fact correct that Alabama could have received some “hurt.” Always good to be prepared! But the Fake News is only interested in demeaning and belittling. Didn’t play my whole sentence or statement. Bad people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 2, 2019
Trump was right to say Alabama was in jeopardy of being in the path of Dorian in “certain original scenarios.” However, forecasters have discounted Dorian crossing the Florida peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico and being in the vicinity of Alabama for days.
By Sunday, computer models generally agreed that Dorian, which had just become a “major” Category 5 hurricane with 180 miles per hour sustained maximum winds, would pass over the northern Bahamas and then turn north off the East Coast.
Here are the latest Key Messages on Hurricane #Dorian. Storm surge and hurricane watches have been issued for portions of the Florida east coast. The latest full advisory is available at https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/d6VjAX38lA
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 1, 2019
Yet Trump repeatedly mentioned Alabama as possibly getting hit “harder than anticipated” on Sunday. This came after White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham told reporters on Saturday that someone from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was traveling with the president as he was playing golf and “he’s being briefed every hour.”
“In addition to Florida – South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, will most likely be hit (much) harder than anticipated. Looking like one of the largest hurricanes ever. Already category 5. BE CAREFUL! GOD BLESS EVERYONE!” Trump tweeted late Sunday morning.
In addition to Florida – South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, will most likely be hit (much) harder than anticipated. Looking like one of the largest hurricanes ever. Already category 5. BE CAREFUL! GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2019
About 20 minutes later, the National Weather Service station in Birmingham tweeted that Alabama would not see “any impacts” from Dorian because it was projected to remain too far east.
Alabama will NOT see any impacts from #Dorian. We repeat, no impacts from Hurricane #Dorian will be felt across Alabama. The system will remain too far east. #alwx
— NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) September 1, 2019
In a second tweet, the NWS Birmingham account explained that any showers in the area would have no association with Dorian.
The scattered showers and storms we are expecting across Central AL today are not associated with Dorian.
— NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) September 1, 2019
But Trump again mentioned Alabama during a hurricane briefing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as he was advising American citizens in Dorian’s path to heed the warnings and evacuation orders from local authorities.
“It may get a little piece of a great place — it’s called Alabama, and Alabama could even be in for at least some very strong winds,” Trump said. “This just came up, unfortunately. It’s the size of the storm that we’re talking about. So for Alabama, please be careful also.”
The Washington Examiner emailed the National Weather Service to ask if the Birmingham station’s tweet was sent in response to Trump or because of calls coming into the station from people concerned the hurricane would be turning towards Alabama.
NWS spokeswoman Susan Buchanan wrote back, “The National Weather Service forecast office in Birmingham responded to inquiries to assure the public that Alabama was not in the projected path.”
Dorian slammed the Bahamas over Labor Day weekend, killing at least five people, before taking aim at the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
