A reporter on The Weather Channel cracked a joke about Super Bowl LI while warning viewers about the incoming devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
The deadly Category 3 storm crashed into Florida on Wednesday, pounding the United States with ferocious winds of up to 120mph.
A series of tornadoes struck the state with more than 1.3million people without power on Wednesday night.
Shocking footage showed tornadoes tearing through Florida neighborhoods, destroying powerlines and overturning cars.
But on Wednesday night, a clip emerged of a Weather Channel reporter broadcasting live from Sarasota.
A reporter for The Weather Channel made a crass joke about Super Bowl LI when discussing Hurricane Milton
A boat damaged in Hurricane Helene rests against a bridge ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton, in South Pasadena, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
‘There’s a lot more to go. I think back to the Atlanta Falcons’ first-half Super Bowl winner. We know what happened to the second half when the Patriots came back to life. So do not sleep on the second half of Milton. We’re definitely concerned now…’
The reporter was referring to the Falcons’ collapse in Super Bowl LI, in which the Falcons held a 28-3 lead before ultimately losing to the Patriots.
And fans thought the comment was out of order given the destruction that Milton is expected to cause.
‘What does that ‘analogy’ have to do with hurricane???,’ one wrote on X. ‘Such a stupid shot for no reason. Would’ve fired his a** on the spot and left him out there to survive by himself.’
‘Absolutely crazy ricochet shot here,’ another said.
About 125 homes were destroyed before the hurricane even made landfall, many of them mobile homes in communities for senior citizens, Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said.
The National Weather Service said flash flooding was occurring in the Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg, where over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain has fallen so far.
Tom Brady and the Patriots came back from 25 points down to beat the Falcons
A Lee County Sheriff’s officer patrols the streets of Cape Coral, Fla., as heavy rain falls ahead of Hurricane Milton, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Milton slammed into a Florida region still reeling from Hurricane Helene , which caused heavy damage to beach communities with storm surge and killed a dozen people in seaside Pinellas County alone.
Earlier, officials issued dire warnings to flee or face grim odds of survival.
“This is it, folks,” said Cathie Perkins, emergency management director in Pinellas County, which sits on the peninsula that forms Tampa Bay. “Those of you who were punched during Hurricane Helene, this is going to be a knockout. You need to get out, and you need to get out now.”
