A reporter in the DC area prioritizes his role as a father. When a tornado warning was issued, NBC Washington chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer was on the air to keep viewers updated on the storm.
Kammerer discovered the tornado warning was right over his residence in Maryland in the middle of the program. “As a matter of fact, I’m tracking this so closely now, this is going to go right over my house,” he added as he displayed a map of cross streets in the tornado’s path and dialed a cell phone. Kammerer was, in fact, calling his son.
“Kenton, you there buddy? Hey man, I want you to get down to the basement. We got a tornado warning,” Kammerer said to his son on the phone. “I want to make sure you and Cally get down as soon as you can.”
“Right now?” Kenton is heard replying to his father. “Get down there right now,” Kammerer responded. “Get in the bedroom down there and wait 10-15 minutes okay. Do it now.”
Kammerer resumed his show after hanging up the phone. “I gotta warn my kids, because I know what my kids are doing right now, they’re probably online gaming, and they’re not seeing this” the dad said.
The clip was released on social media by NBC Washington on Friday morning, and viewers were quick to respond. One commenter said, “He was so calm.” “That’s what being a good parent looks like!” exclaimed another.
Kammerer expressed his gratitude that no one was hurt in the tornado. “This was a scary moment for me,” he stated. “As I am zooming in on the radar, I noticed my house is right in the path of the tornado.
My kids were home alone and I knew they would not be paying attention to the warning. As I was live on air, I was debating in my head if I should call them while I was on TV and I soon realized I had to make that call. I had to protect my kids. Thank goodness no one was injured as a result of that tornado. We are all safe.”
