BBC’s extreme weather reporter reveals the secret rules viewers never see on screen as they fear for her safety
Date: 2024-10-21TV WEATHER reporter Alison Freeman revealed how she reports on crazy weather events.
Alison has reported on the weather for the BBC for over 25 years, and has described herself as a “generally windswept reporter.”
She is often telling us the weather is bad while standing in the bad weather.
BBC viewers can see her getting soaked and shouting over loud wind, instead of reporting from the studio.
Alison told the Metro: “Television is supposed to be visual. Everybody is looking to see what’s going on and we provide that. If we’re out there, other people don’t have to be.”
She revealed that she receives messages from viewers who are concerned about her safety.
However, she reassured them that risk assessments are always taken place.
She continued: “No one ever forces us to stay anywhere. It can be interesting to be out in the elements. I get a front-row seat to the crazy weather events.”
Alison admitted that she likes to see viewers make fun on her getting “battered” by the weather.
She added: “I find it amusing. When the weather has serious consequences then I don’t want to make light of it, but when everyone is safe, you can laugh about it.”
Alison shared an insight into what it’s like to report on storms.
She starts with whispers of an approaching storm circulating through the newsroom, usually a day or two in advance.
Once the storm is confirmed, the prep begins with an early night, as she sets her alarm for 4am to make it on location by sunrise.
By now, she’s got the storm-preparation routine down to a science when that early alarm goes off.
She stays in a warm vehicle with the heat cranked up, only stepping out at the last possible moment to deliver her report.
This way, she can minimise her time exposed to the harsh conditions while still appearing live from the scene.
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What we don’t see is Alison frequently sipping from a hot tea flask during her reports, and as soon as filming wraps, she heads straight to the nearest spot serving hot food.
She believes these habits have helped her avoid catching colds while working in harsh weather conditions.
Alison shared that “people are so kind and generous” as they sometimes offer her a cup of tea.
To ensure her and her team’s safety during storm coverage, Alison and her crew strictly adhere to certain guidelines.
She never walks through floodwater, and if there’s significant debris around, they leave the location, as strong winds could send dangerous objects flying.
While it may look like she’s close to the sea when reporting from beaches, Alison always stays a safe distance away to avoid the risk of sudden tides or flying debris.
“I don’t want to get hurt, so I’ll never put myself at risk,†she explained.
She concluded that “getting out and about and talking to people is what I really love to do. People are at the heart of everything we do.”
