Weather Channel Sets Katrina Coverage

The Weather Channel will air 10 days of special Hurricane Katrina programming beginning Aug. 20 in recognition of the first anniversary of the devastating storm.

The network will air two Katrina-based episodes of original series Storm Stories Aug. 20 and 27. The first special, The Hurricane Katrina Anniversary Special, will showcase interviews with Katrina survivors, while the second special, Postmark Katrina, recounts the efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service as they work to reunite misplaced New Orleans children and their families.

Also airing Aug. 27 is the Katrina episode from original series It Could Happen Tomorrow.

From Aug.25-29, TWC will feature live reports from meteorologists Jim Cantore, Jeff Morrow and Mike Seidel as they return to Gulfport, Biloxi, other coastal towns and, of course, New Orleans.

In addition, the network will air taped segments throughout that week focusing on such issues as rebuilding the New Orleans Superdome, as well as updating the status of the levees.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.