Cyclone Ida is currently smashing into the Louisiana coast in the US and, although there have been no reported fatalities, the severe weather pattern is placing extra strain on local hospitals already coping with a COVID outbreak.
The famous city of New Orleans has been hardest hit by the category 4 cyclone and that was definitely on show on NBC News’ report into the torrential rains and massive surf battering the coast.
And weather reporter Al Roker certainly put himself in the thick of the action to give viewers a taste of Ida’s fury.
The 67-year-old Roker appears to have chosen the most dangerous position possible to deliver his report. Initially we see Roker getting smashed in the face by surf and rain, but as the camera pans backwards it’s abundantly clear the intrepid meteorologist could have chosen a far safer place to stand to deliver his report by merely moving a couple of metres to his left.
However, viewers were less interested in Roker’s safety than his age, suggesting he was too old to be out covering such a dangerous weather event.
“Get 67-year-old Al Roker out of this hurricane,” one viewer tweeted.
“Al Roker getting too old being out in the storm NBC! He’s 67 years old! I’m sure Rocker (sic) feels like 40 and loves it tho!” commented another.
To which Roker replied: “For all those who were worried about me out on #lakepontchartrain covering #Ida a) I volunteered to do this. Part of the job. b) My crew and I were safe and we are back at our hotel and c) for those who think I’m too old to be doing this, try and keep up.”
Thankfully no harm was done, however, we strongly suspect Roker needed a change of dry underpants. Check out nature’s fury and Roker’s bravado below: