Jun 25, 2008 12:39 am US/Eastern
Hurricane Legend Norcross Bids Goodbye To Coverage
CBS4 Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross Ends 20 Years Forecasting Hurricanes
Plans To Devote Time To New Business Enterprise
Chief Meteorologist David Bernard To Direct Storm Team
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
He has helped South Floridians face hurricane season for nearly 2 decades, becoming a household word after people huddled in the dark with him as Hurricane Andrew blew down their homes around them. But now, CBS4 Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross has made the decision to step away from round-the-clock coverage in the event a hurricane threatens to focus on a new business he hopes will make all Floridians safer if disaster strikes.
Share your comments..Shaun McDonald, President and General Manager of WFOR and WBFS, confirmed Tuesday that Norcross will not be a part of the CBS4 News hurricane coverage should a storm threaten this season. That role will fall to Chief Meteorologist David Bernard, a hurricane expert who succeeded Norcross as the station's main weather voice in 2006.
"Bryan Norcross informed us today that due to the demands that accompany his role with his new company, he has decided not to renew his contract with CBS4 when it expires at the end of this month," McDonald said.
In addition to working with CBS4 and My33 as Hurricane Specialist, appearing on the air in the event tropical weather threatened, Norcross started his own company providing technology services to local and state disaster agencies, a business which has grown in recent months.
"We had hoped that we might be able to accommodate his desire to build his company while also keeping his involvement with our stations," said McDonald. "However, Bryan believes very strongly that that he can no longer give our stations and more importantly, our viewers, the time and effort required to carry on as CBS4's Storm Specialist."
"I've been thinking about this because I've been concerned about what would happen if we had significant hurricane activity," Norcross told CBS4.com. "I've been working literally 7 days a week on starting this company, and my concern was how do I meet my responsibilities to the company and do hurricane coverage at the level people expect and I expect of myself."
Norcross said he firmed up his decision to step away from the cameras while sitting in front of the television, watching reporting on the massive flooding in the Midwest.
He thought about the commitment he would have to make if a similar disaster threatened South Florida, and realized he could not do it.
"I know people expect accurate and full, complete coverage, and I didn't feel I could do that based on the time and commitment I've made to getting this company off the ground," he said.
"We respect his decision, but we regret that for now he'll no longer play a role with our weather team," McDonald said.
Norcross had been a key part of hurricane coverage on WFOR and WBFS since CBS hired him as Chief Meteorologist in 1996. He had received widespread acclaim for his role in the forecasting of Hurricane Andrew, where he was one of the first meteorologists to urge South Florida residents to prepare for a serious disaster.
As other television stations went off the air, Norcross continued to provide guidance and information during the height of the storm, a role which earned him near legendary status in South Florida.
When he made the move to CBS in 1996, many of his loyal viewers followed him and Norcross continued to dominate hurricane coverage during a decade of increasingly numerous storms.
During the disastrous hurricane season of 2004, Norcross was often on the air almost round-the-clock, and he directed wall-to-wall coverage which stretched for days at a time. Now, he'll be watching the work of others.
"It will be a strange feeling, no question about it," he said, but pointed out he is not saying he will never to television again. "You never know what will happen in life.
His contributions to the community and to CBS4 viewers will be missed, McDonald said.
"Bryan's widely respected as one of this country's leading hurricane experts and he will always have the gratitude and admiration of this community for his efforts during Hurricane Andrew. In his tenure here at CBS4, he's helped CBS4 become the station to turn to when severe weather threatens."
Hurricane coverage at CBS4 and My33 will now be directed by Chief Meteorologist David Bernard, who was hand-picked by Norcross for his role just before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Bernard had just left New Orleans, where he was recognized as a hurricane expert, experience he brings to South Florida.
"We're confident that CBS4 will continue to hold that distinction with the leadership of Chief Meteorologist David Bernard at the helm of our highly regarded weather team."
As chief meteorologist at WWL in New Orleans, Bernard provided hurricane coverage in one of the most active tropical weather areas in the nation. When Hurricane Katrina struck, he traveled back to New Orleans to provide perspective to a national tragedy.
In his role as Chief Meteorologist at WFOR and WBFS, Bernard has worked with Norcross in crafting hurricane coverage, including the production of the stations' annual hurricane specials.
"I have complete confidence in David (Bernard) and (meteorologist) Craig (Setzer), whom I worked with for many years," said Norcross. "I knew of David and his ability for years, even before he came to Miami, and he brought that talent to the team I've worked with for so many years."
"I feel like they can do top-drawer hurricane coverage of anything which comes along."
While Norcross will no longer have a formal role at the stations in that regard, McDonald made it clear that he will always have a home on CBS4.
"The door is still open for Bryan to return at some time in the future. He's let us know that once his company is up and running, he may revisit his decision, leaving open the possibility he could play a role with us in the future," McDonald said.
"In the meantime, we wish him the very best of luck and thank him for his efforts on behalf of CBS4."
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
