Jim Cantore, a veteran storm reporter, got a first-hand look at how powerful Hurricane Ian was after it made landfall in Florida.
On Wednesday, The Weather Channel meteorologist was reporting live on the ground in Punta Gorda, Fl, amid 110 mph winds, according to the broadcast.
“Yeah, this is extreme,” Cantore said at one point while trying to stand in the street. A few minutes later, he let out a grunt as he fell to the ground while being struck by a large flying tree branch.
Cantore then struggled to pick himself up as he began making his way off of the street.
As he made it to the sidewalk, you can hear the strain in his voice. “Alright, you know what, I think I’m just going to come in here a second,” Cantore remarked before grabbing onto a street sign to brace himself. “Just give me a second.”
Cantore made sure his team knew that he was fine but said it was incredibly difficult to “stand up” due to the hurricane gusts.
Upon making it to relative safety, Cantore said, “I’m just, I’m going to let you guys look at the pictures, OK? And I’m going to stand behind this wall a little bit.”
Cantore added from behind the camera, “That was definitely our strongest gust. That one took my wind.”
Several comments through social media showed concern for Cantore’s safety.
One person wrote, “Please get this man off the street.” While another remarked, “IDK what Jim Cantore is getting paid, but it’s not enough.”
Another commenter added, “Hurricane doesn’t start until we see Jim Cantore holding a street sign for dear life.”
Cantore, who has been forecasting weather for over 30 years, has a Twitter bio that reads, “always awaiting mother natures latest temper tantrum.”
Jim Cantore got hit by a flying tree branch during hurricane report pic.twitter.com/ybONC3VR51
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 28, 2022
