When did reports of weather events start including body counts?

[mwb970]

A headline in the Columbus Dispatch this morning reads, Frigid weather blamed in 4 deaths in Tennessee. Years ago, a big storm or a cold wave was reported as a big storm or a cold wave. Now, these events apparently must always be spun as lethal, death-dealing tragedies. Every report of a storm or unusual temperatures now includes (in the headline) how many have officially died as a result (even if it's just one person). Why? When did this start?

Surely more than four people died unreported in Tennessee of various other causes during the recent cold snap. Why is the body count considered such an integral part of each weather story that it must be mentioned right in the headline? They wouldn't be trying to scare us, would they?

:shrug:

[Buzz Clik]

1. I think it started when I was a kid -- probably 35 or 40 years ago.

[dysfunctional press]

2. as far back as i can remember.

mostly because it's part of what makes a weather report 'newsworthy'.

[NJmaverick]

3. In the NY metro area they have been doing that as long as I can remember

[Myrina]

4. ... no such thing as global warming ...

... these cold-as-a-witches-tit winters we're having is proof of that, I tells ya ...

:sarcasm:

[SpiralHawk]

8. It's 'Global Weather Chaos' my dear

The hot-as-the-hinges-of-Hades part will be all over the witch titties soon enuf.

http://thecalloftheland.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/our-survival-imperative-cultivating-diversity/

[Myrina]

11. ... you did see my sarcasm icon, right?

n/t

[cali]

5. uh, as long as there have been weather reports.

[LiberalFighter]

6. As long as there have been newspapers and could report it the next day?

[Fla_Democrat]

7. France heat wave death toll set at 14,802

A long time. The one that always sticks in my mind was 2003.



http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2003-09-25-france-heat_x.htm

France heat wave death toll set at 14,802
PARIS (AP) — The death toll in France from August's blistering heat wave has reached nearly 15,000, according to a government-commissioned report released Thursday, surpassing a prior tally by more than 3,000.


Although I do recall seeing numbers mentioned about deaths in other cold snaps/heat waves. :shrug:

[enid602]

9. avoid

This could have been avoided if they´d just use deodorant.

[bigwillq]

10. Death sells more papers

and brings more viewers to the TV screen.

[Jamastiene]

12. They have as far back as I can remember.

The weather is more violent nowadays and it has always killed people when it gets rough. I appreciate the warning ahead of time.

[haele]

13. Because it's news that attracts attention - and it's always been done.

Galveston Hurricane/Flood, 1900, jumps to mind immediately.
I remember them reporting heat wave and cold snap/blizzard deaths back in the 1960's. It's not unusual, they also report body counts for other natural mass casualty disasters like floods, avalanches, dam breaks, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami/tidal waves...
It's because basically, the majority of human beings are 1) voyeuristic at heart and 2)like the little morality plays that allow them to feel better than someone else - the "there, for the grace of god", "wrong place at the wrong time", or "if they just thought a bit more about it, they wouldn't have had this happen to them" sort of instructional stories are part and parcel with this urge.

Haele

[LynneSin]

14. When haven't they. Although a few years ago they tried giving names to Nor'easters...

that didn't take. (like Hurricanes)

[RaleighNCDUer]

15. It's not only news, it is a warning.

Stupid people need to be constantly reminded that cold/heat KILLS. Most cold or heat related deaths are preventable. If people aren't reminded that 20 degrees is a shitload colder than 35 degrees and they better grab a hat before leaving the house, they won't grab a hat before leaving the house.

I consider it a public service.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. When did weather become an "event"?

Back in my day, we always had weather.
Now it is an "event" when it happens....