With the formation of 2009's first Hurricane, Bill, and Claudette making landfall as the first tropical storm of the year, we thought it might be beneficial to review some of the resources out there for covering hurricanes and severe weather.

According to Poynter's Al Tompkins, there are a few thing to consider for traveling crews:

1) Take a satellite phone - cell phones may be out for days
2) Take lots of cash - ATMs, credit card machines will be out of power
3) Be self-sufficient - that means taking food, water, ice
4) Top off the gas tank every chance you get - you never know when pumps will stop working
5) Carry several cans of fix-a-flat - you will be running over lots of debris
6) Buy expensive, good quality rain gear - ponchos are not a good option
7) Have an up-to-date tetanus shot - nails are everywhere after a storm; you will step on something
8) Do not take safety risks - photojournalists can't see flying debris when taping

Al's article also does a great job of outlining how to best survive in a hurricane environment, how to care for your equipment and how to find story ideas. Read the rest of it here.

For a look at how news organizations covered Katrina in 2005, be sure to check out the Online Journalism Review's wiki that includes "Online Coverage of Hurricane Katrina," blogs and background info.

The Sun Sentinel provides a look at 500 years of hurricane history, a good resource for background information and adding depth to your own coverage.

Additionally, the Sun Sentinel also provides a dynamic Associated Press Tool for how to measure a hurricane's intensity - must have information for viewers, particularly in the beginning stages of hurricane coverage. If for nothing else, this is a good animation to watch for your own reference.

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Hurricane Coverage

I'd add:

Take along an extra Storm-Proof Home Video Camera in case the Main Cam gets wet and won't work.
Extra presciptions and personal first aid kits are good to have for extended coverage, along with pre-packaged MRE's and sealed snacks.

PDA's with the capability of following Hurricane Tracks and NHC Updates are great.
But even better is a PDA that can access Live Digital Radar.

Extra batteries should be packed for everything that uses them.

If you cover anything over a Category One....realize anything flying thru the air can kill you. Shooting from Underpasses and behind embankments is safer than standing out in the open.
Respect the wind...it may be entertaing to get great standups..but realize you're putting yourslef in a potentially VERY DANGEROUS situation.
After a storm passes.....avoid Deep Water and Damaged Power Lines..which can both be killers.

And forget my advice that anything over a Cat 1 'Cane is dangerous. Even a Category 1 Storm can kill and there's no such thing as a "Minor Hurricane".