Hurricane Irma Slams Florida

The Cleanup Begins

ALL ACCESS has been in contact with many broadcasters in MIAMI, as well as those up the WEST COAST of FLORIDA, that were in HURRICANE IRMA's path with wind speeds of 131 to 155 mph. HURRICANE IRMA was a very unwelcome visitor to FLORIDA, but has now dropped to a Category 1 storm, leaving behind destruction the length of the state with more than 4 million customers without power.

CNN reported, "IRMA was downgraded as it moved over the WESTERN FLORIDA peninsula, the NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER said. By 5a (ET), it had sustained winds of 75 mph with its center 60 miles north of TAMPA. Despite its weakening as it passes over land, IRMA remains a monster pushing strong winds and flooding in the SOUTHEAST, forecasters warned."

IRMA made landfall twice, first over THE FLORIDA KEYS as a Category 4 hurricane. The second time was in MARCO ISLAND, as a Category 3 that left the island without water and power.

Beasley Media Group Reports

BEASLEY EVP/Programming JUSTIN CHASE told ALL ACCESS TODAY (9/11), "All the FM's are off in FT. MYERS. Not sure about AM or translators. These stations have major flooding at studios. All the stations are off in BOCA. Two have issues getting programming to site. I would bet 1470 has more serious issues. WLLD is only station off in TAMPA. We hope it is just generator issue. Been a crazy night!"

As IRMA shifted away from MIAMI YESTERDAY (9/10) toward the SOUTHWEST COAST of FLORIDA, BEASLEY MEDIA VP/Corporate Communications HEIDI RAPHAEL told ALL ACCESS, "Our teams in FORT MYERS and TAMPA have been covering this storm and serving the community. 

"In FORT MYERS we have wall to wall news content on WXKB, WJPT, WRXK, WWCN from our partner NBC TV 2 with local cut-ins from our team. We'll also be executing regular updates on PLAYA (our Spanish translator station) ... but increasing the news now. All of the other stations have been on the air with no issues to this point. We have three PDs in the building now taking care of things, as well as other staff. 

"For TAMPA, "All English stations went wall to wall news last night at midnight from our ABC-TV/Tampa partner with live cut-ins from our local staff. WYUU is wall to wall with TELEMUNDO with live cut-ins from our PD NIO. Our GM, OM, numerous PDs, Engineer and other staff members are on-site.

"Because of storm surge threat, which can potentially reach our stations, we have instructed most of our staff to leave town."

CHASE added, "WRXK's signal has been flickering so it will may go off the air when the storm gets bad.  Hopefully that won't be the case.  I'll be continuing to monitor this from my hotel room in ORLANDO (at DISNEY, where my family and I evacuated to YESTERDAY morning.  But the storm looks to be on track to hit MARCO and NAPLES (home of our Corp office) soon.  Very scary!"  

This just in at 1p ET: WLLD is back up and running hurricane coverage from the local TV channel. They will be switching and running regular programming later today.

The WRBQ/Tampa staff broadcasting during Irma.

HEIDI RAPHAEL just chedcked on to update on IRMA's impact on BEASLEY stations:

FT. MYERS:

- The studio building has some minor damage, but is in good condition otherwise.
- B103.9 and ESPN are off the air. The other stations are on the air.
- Our engineering team will be installing a new transmitter in FORT MYERS starting tomorrow morning.
 
TAMPA:

- The TAMPA stations are all on the air now.  
- Studios are in normal condition and running on regular electric services.
 
Corporate Office:

- The building did not have any flooding issues. Downed trees and branches are currently being removed. We are working to restore operations. Power for the office is being run via a generator.  
- MIKE COONEY and Corporate Network Manager Director RON RANDALL are currently doing final testing on our systems. Our hope is to be operational soon and accessible for our staff by the end of the week. The BEASLEY MEDIA GROUP Corporate team is working remotely in the interim.

iHeartMedia Reports

IHEARTMEDIA ORLANDO VP/Branding and Top 40 WXXL (XL 106.7) and AC WMGF (MAGIC 107.7) PD BRIAN MACK updates, "Our BRUNSWICK cluster is flooded and all are off the air. SARASOTA was evacuated... they’re all carrying TAMPA now. TAMPA was evacuated, but I believe it was ok and they’re putting the pieces back together TODAY (9/11). ORLANDO held on with power no major issues outside of RUMBA going down. JACKSONVILLE seems ok. Not sure on MELBOURNE. Heard from MIAMI -- they’re ok and live right now."

iHEARTMEDIA/FT. MYERS SVPP and WOLZ (95.3 THE RIVER) PD LOUIS KAPLAN checks in with ALL ACCESS with an update on IRMA's effect on the iHEARTMEDIA cluster in FT. MYERS.  KAPLAN commented that everyone on staff appears to be safe and sound.  The stations took the storm hard with power being knocked out almost immediately when IRMA hit FT. MYERS.  Not long after, the cluster's back up generator dropped, knocking Top 40/R WBTT (105.5 THE BEAT), Country WCKT (CAT COUNTRY 107.1), Classic Hits WOLZ (95.3 THE RIVER) and HAC WZJZ (Y100.1) off the air.  The cluster routed the local FOX TV audio to the transmitters until a tower power failure took the cluster down again.  WZJZ and WOLZ were brought back up but WBTT and WCKT remain off the air.

KAPLAN tells ALL ACCESS that 86% of LEE COUNTY, where FT. MYERS is located, is without power. 

WBTT and WZJZ PD ERIC ROSADO added, "It was a surreal and loud experience and as many are uncertain about their homes still what matters the most is that everyone is safe. I'm proud for the way not only our staff but how all of SOUTHWEST FLORIDA prepared for IRMA."

ROSADO posted a video on his FACEBOOK page showing IRMA roaring into FT. MYERS through WBTT's hurricane resistant impact glass.

KEVIN WONG reported to ALL ACCESS YESTERDAY (9/10), "MIAMI's NEWS RADIO 610 WIOD is providing comprehensive local nonstop coverage, and is simulcasting continuous storm reports to its sister stations WHYI, WBGG, WMIA, WINZ and WMIB, while WZTU is simulcasting coverage from TELEMUNDO 51. 

"iHEARTMEDIA's syndicated personality ELVIS DURAN, heard mornings on WHYI, is in MIAMI contributing to local coverage with local personalities JIMMY CEFALO, MANNY MUNOZ and WIOD's news team. ENRIQUE SANTOS, heard mornings on Spanish Contemporary WZTU, is also part of the WIOD coverage as well as on WZTU. MIAMI's local personalities are staying connected with listeners on all social platforms with up to the minute information.

"All iHEARTMEDIA/TAMPA stations have been in wall-to-wall coverage since yesterday anchored by the News Talk WFLA-AM team. Local personalities from WFLZ, WXTB, WMTX, WPTB and WFUS have been engaging listeners on all social platforms including periodic updates on FACEBOOK Live. 

"In all affected markets, we're reminding people on-air and through social media that all local coverage, including emergency broadcasts and information about shelters and storm relief, can still be heard after the power goes out via battery operated radios and by streaming through the iHEARTRADIO app."

While the storm was raging, the MIAMI MARLINS were playing in ATLANTA, and the MARLINS' network, based at iHEARTMEDIA Sports WINZ-A/MIAMI, was knocked off the air by Irma, reports the ASSOCIATED PRESS.  Subscribers to MLB.COM's streaming service were fed the BRAVES' radio coverage while the MARLINS' network was idle.

And WIOD reportedly lost its broadcast signal during the storm; the station, the transmitter of which is located in the middle of BISCAYNE BAY on an island with FOX affiliate WSVN-TV along the 79th St. Causeway in NORTH BAY VILLAGE, continued programming via its web stream and iHEARTRADIO.

COX Media Reports

VP/Market Manager ROB BABIN updates TODAY (9/11), "Although HURRICANE IRMA's eye did not pass over the MIAMI metro, we were hammered with strong winds, rain and parts of the market experienced storm surge and flooding.  There is significant damage throughout SOUTH FLORIDA and as of 9a this morning, there are 1.5 million people without power.  Currently we are operating on generators at our studios and tower sites. This morning we have a team of broadcasters live on the air on each of our COX MEDIA GROUP/MIAMI radio stations (99 JAMZ, HOT 105, EASY 93.1 and HITS 97.3). The big focus right now is assessing the damage across the market.  We are communicating updates on curfews, flooding, power outages and broadcasting local government press conferences.  In addition, all of the grocery stores and gas stations remain closed across the entire market.  We'll continue to update our listeners on openings throughout the week." 

Directly in the line of impact, COX MEDIA GROUP/TAMPA VP/Market Mgr. KEITH LAWLESS updates TODAY (9/11), LAWLESS updates, "We are still taking inventory of damage and people. IRMA passed TAMPA BAY as a cat 2 storm earlier this morning. We are hoping for the best as day breaks. There are reports of widespread power outages in the TAMPA BAY Area and west coast of FLORIDA. Residents that included a battery powered radio in their hurricane preparation plans can tune in to all six CMG FM stations for wall to wall coverage until IRMA completely passes our area and curfews are lifted.  In the next day we will have a better assessment of the damage in TAMPA BAY and the needs in our community." 

YESTERDAY (9/10), LAWLESS said, "TAMPA BAY is bracing for hurricane force winds and tidal surges not seen in nearly 100 years in our community. As of 7p SATURDAY, COX MEDIA GROUP migrated physical operation from our ST. PETERSBURG studios to two separate Emergency Operation Center broadcast facilities. CMG partnered with the local EOC's years ago in perpetration for an event like IRMA. 

"We are now in wall-to-wall coverage with our broadcast TV partners. WWRM (MAGIC 94.9), WDUV (105.5 THE DOVE) & WXGL (107.3 THE EAGLE) are Emergency Weather partners with WTSP CHANNEL 10 (CBS). WPOI (HOT 101.5), WHPT (102.5 THE BONE) & WSUN (97X) are Emergency Weather partners with WTVT (FOX 13). We are prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best. The real work will start in the next 24-48 hours for TAMPA BAY."

COX MEDIA GROUP/MIAMI VP/Market Manager ROB BABIN told ALL ACCESS, "All of our COX MIAMI radio stations are on the air.  We have a small team of incredible employees who remained to ensure we continue our broadcast throughout the storm. Yesterday was a critical day to be live in the studio, there were many tornado warnings and curfews to announce.  

"Last night (9/9) at 7p we began our simulcast with our local television partner WSVN (FOX 7)/MIAMI to provide wall to wall weather coverage to our listeners. 

"We are currently in the simulcast as we are expecting the worst of HURRICANE IRMA over the next 5 hours, and there over 1 million people in BROWARD and DADE COUNTY without electricity.  We are very fortunate to have many COX colleagues and resources throughout the company who have helped us prepare and execute digital and social media throughout the storm."

From COX MEDIA Sr. Dir./Corporate Communications ANDY McDILL, "As you can imagine, all of our efforts now are focused on our No. 1 priority of ensuring our employees and their families are safe. Secondly, we are ensuring that we are stepping up and being that vital link for our communities, giving them important information before, during and after the storm.  

"All locations have fuel for generators if needed.  As of now, our MIAMI stations are broadcasting TV partner WSVN-TV audio. In TAMPA, our studios are currently closed as IRMA threatens the area today with a local TV partner FOX 13. We have no issues currently in ORLANDO or JACKSONVILLE."

CBS/Miami Reports

CBS/MIAMI OM ROB MORRIS told ALL ACCESS, "As of now, all stations are the air.  Top 40 WPOW is still on its main site. Country WKIS is on its aux site, only because it turned on and we lost remote access.  Sports WQAM is still on from its VIRGINIA KEY site, which is taking storm surge.  Hopefully we wont lose that due to water surge.

"We are simulcasting CBS 4, WFOR-TV our CBS O&O sister station.  With over a half a million without power, battery operated radios are helping get the information out there. TV is making sure to describe things since they know some may only be hearing what's going on with the storm, since they cant see it via TV video.  Special thanks to CBS 4 anchors, reporters who are out reporting on this historic Hurricane.

"Now over 1.5 million without power in the MIAMI-DADE, BROWARD COUNTY area.  We are now into some heaviest winds and rain we will see as of 3p (ET). Special kudos to our staff of engineers and on-air talent at the station.  MIJO, our new night talent on POWER 96 (who just got here from MAINE!), along with OMAR ESCOBAR are manning the controls and are staying at the station.

"OMAR reports that one of big trees at the station has come down.  As of 3p (ET) we are still on the air and in-tact. 

Entercom Reports

ENTERCOM Dir./Programming & Operations for AC WLYF (HD1 and HD2) ROB SIDNEY reported to ALL ACCESS, "Despite HURRICANE IRMA's last-minute move away from southeast FLORIDA, MIAMI-DADE and BROWARD COUNTIES are being battered with hurricane-force winds and the storm isn’t expected to abate until early MONDAY (9/11).  

"The ENTERCOM MIAMI stations (101.5 LITE FM (WLYF), 102.7 The BEACH (WMXJ), 104.3 The SHARK (WSFS) & 790 the TICKET (WAXY-A) have had core staff in place since hurricane warnings were issued late THURSDAY (9/7).  

"Locally-originated coverage with the stations' talent gradually transitioned to a full simulcast of news partner LOCAL 10 (WPLG-TV) by late SATURDAY (9/9).  

"Once the storm passes, the stations plan to gradually transition back to local, live programming, while communicating critical recovery information for as long as necessary.  

"More than a million FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT customers in the market are without electricity.  The ENTERCOM facilities have continued to run continuously at all four transmitter sites and studios, thanks to hearty generators and backup plans.  The only staff complaint:  the water heater isn't on the generator – meaning cold showers on SUNDAY!"

ENTERCOM Program Coordinator, On-Air Talent, Producer, Anchor, Reporter BRIAN "THE BEAST" LONDON, contacted ALL ACCESS and added, "We do have a skeleton crew on hand for all four stations. We were all live and local till about 7 or so last night when we switched to simulcast of our weather partners local 10 because of 9 tornado warnings in an hour we felt it was the most prudent way to get the news across to our audience. 

"While we have lost power we are on generators but all four stations are up and running. For the third or fourth time we are all huddled in an inner studio because of a tornado warning. But aside from not having AC and on limited lighting, we are all good!"

Later in the day, SIFNEY offered this update:

The ENTERCOM/MIAMI stations (AC WLYF (101.5 LITE FM), Classic Hits WMXJ (102.7 The BEACH), Alternative WSFS (104.3 The SHARK) and Sports WAXY-A (790 The TICKET) continue to serve SOUTH FLORIDA following the storm.  While overall, the effects in the MIAMI-FORT LAUDERDALE area were minimal compared to the FLORIDA KEYS, daylight MONDAY (9/11) revealed debris-covered roadways, flooded streets and numerous homes and businesses that had sustained significant water and wind damage.  

WAXY suffered a transmitter outage early MONDAY -– as did two other major AM stations (iHEARTMEDIA’s WIOD-A and WINZ-A); WAXY’s storm-related programming continued online and via its app. The ENTERCOM FMs gradually transitioned back to music programming blended with locally-originated recovery information by midday MONDAY, with WLYF continuing to offer twice-hourly cut-ins from news partner WPLG-TV (LOCAL 10) -- including a full simulcast of their 6p and 11p newscasts.  

With nearly 80% of the market (1.6 million customers) without power at the height of the storm, utility FPL has worked quickly to restore service; by MONDAY evening, that number had been reduced to 1.3 million. And WLYF will be airing content from WPLG until at least 50% of SOUTH FLORIDA can once again ‘turn on the LITE.'

(And as I’m writing this, FPL has just restored power to our own offices  Merciful heaven, we have air conditioning again!)

WLRN/Miami Reports

MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS News-Talk WLRN-F/MIAMI lost its primary FM signal for a time on SUNDAY due to problems with the studio-transmitter link but continued to stream programming online and via W270AD/WEST PALM BEACH until the signal was restored.  The station provided extensive coverage of the storm starting at noon (ET) SATURDAY and is now asking listeners to submit their stories about their Irma experience.

Salem To Raise Funds For Relief Effort

The SALEM RADIO NETWORK is planning to once again partner with SAVE THE CHILDREN to raise funds to get emergency supplies to children and families in the wake of Irma.  The network has raised $401,844.00 for the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts thus far.  SRN will air messages from LOU DOBBS and SALEM News-Talk KNTH-A (AM 1070 THE ANSWER)/HOUSTON morning host SAM MALONE on all of its syndicated talk shows.

In addition, SRN NEWS and TOWNHALL NEWS, the company's two 24/7 news networks, will also provide information on how listeners can donate to the relief effort.

Meanwhile, In Jacksonville....

RENDA BROADCASTING Country WGNE/JACKSONVILLE MD ASHLEY WILSON filled ALL ACCESS in on the preceding night: "It was a long night as we had at least two talent on the air throughout the storm, the worst of which hit between 2a and 6a. We've experienced massive power outages and flooding which have unfortunately affected the station today, but we are continuing to reach out to listeners in other ways.

"I was at WKML last year in FAYETTEVILLE when MATTHEW hit and we had a tremendous loss of life," she continued. "Fortunately we haven't heard of any fatalities as of yet. FLORIDA is much better equipped to deal with hurricanes and I am very impressed with speed and depth of information that's been provided to us by the state and the city.

Todd Schnitt Returns To Tampa

COMPASS MEDIA NETWORKS syndicated personality TODD SCHNITT (of THE SCHNITT SHOW) flew down to TAMPA (where he formerly lived, still owns a home, and is heard on WFLA) to broadcast live today. He will be on the air tomorrow from TAMPA, too.

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ALL ACCESS has reached out to other radio groups for reports on their efforts during this heightened state of emergency in their markets.  We are being sensitive to their needs to put their markets and listeners first, and will update this story when their reports arrive.

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