July 10, 2015

Twitter harasses Philly meteorologists who interrupt TV shows for tornado warning

By Daniel Craig
PhillyVoice Staff

Carolyn Kaster/AP

Weather anchor Kate Bilo works in an open-air, green-screen studio on the forecast operations floor at AccuWeather in State College, Pennsylvania, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.

There was a tornado warning in Burlington County Thursday night, causing the local network news stations to interrupt nationally scheduled programming to update viewers on the potentially hazardous weather conditions.

Some viewers were not happy about this. Those watching CBS's "Big Brother" were not pleased that their reality show was interrupted by meteorologist Kate Bilo. (h/t, Joel Mathis of Philly Mag).

Omg shut up Kate Bilo!!! Put on Big Brother dammit!
— Anthony Degliomini (@DeGz77) July 10, 2015

@katebilo You are the worst!!!!!!Done with you and your news channel. We have weather on our phone. Plus all you did was repeat.
— Matt S (@Matt1teacherS) July 10, 2015

@katebilo oh my god go away big brother is on geez
— Robert Butts (@sonofjorel5) July 10, 2015

Bilo took it in stride, but then reminded everyone that she is literally required to interrupt their reality show if the weather warrants it.

Not to mention that it's mandated and we HAVE to put it on. It's not me like "hey, how can I make people mad at me on Twitter? I know!"
— Kate Bilo CBS3 (@katebilo) July 10, 2015

Several people, including weather professionals, came to Bilo's defense.

Can't understand the rage from viewers in Philly who missed Big Brother bc of a tornado warning. Kudos to @katebilo for responding w/ class.
— Becky Elliott (@AccuWxBeck) July 10, 2015

For those upset w/ @katebilo for interrupting Big Brother for a tornado warning, please go to your closest mirror & stare for 30 minutes.
— Ed Sweeney (@EasternChaser) July 10, 2015

Bilo wasn't the only one to catch flak. Cecily Tynan from 6ABC upset one "Astronaut Wives" viewer for her tornado update.

So pissed at @CecilyTynan for cutting off the very last minute of astronaut wives
— Lk (@ElizabethKean) July 10, 2015

Tynan reminded Kean that while she was sorry for the inconvenience, it is kind of her job.

Sorry, when @NWS_MountHolly issues a #tornadowarning, we cut in @6abc immediate. It's about saving lives https://t.co/HyCXsTI3U0
— Cecily Tynan (@CecilyTynan) July 10, 2015

What is "Astronaut Wives," you ask? Well, it's actually called "The Astronaut Wives Club," and it is about the people married to astronauts.