As 75-mile-per-hour winds dropped six trees in my yard, broke the rope tying the boat to the dock, and sent the patio set flying recently, I looked for information about the situation on Channels 4, 5, 9 and 11 but could find none.
This was the evening of July 1, in Hutchinson. Since then I have been cutting trees and cleaning up the mess. Neighboring towns experienced tennis-ball-sized hail, downed buildings and snapped power poles, yet these four channels did nothing to inform viewers as the storm unfolded.
When a storm affects metro-area counties, it is discussed at length. Rotation and hail are identified, and people are informed so they can make their families safe.
If the stations' coverage area includes Hutchinson, then Hutchinson residents should expect a similar service. The National Weather Service does cut in from time to time with general messages, but having a meteorologist explain the areas of rotation and impact using radar provides so much more information.
CHRISTY CHRISTENSEN, HUTCHINSON, MINN.
