Reporters covering a natural disaster or big breaking news story need to be smart to stay safe, this Poynter article by journalist and author Martin Merzer explains.
Merzer, who held various roles at the Miami Herald, including that of senior writer in charge of hurricane coverage, lists 50 things that journalists should remember in these scenarios, from preparing to report, to actually covering the story and finally filing it.
"If you are not assigned to hurricane duty, do not chase the storm on your own," he writes.
"Editors work hard to bracket a hurricane with reporters and photographers — and managers keep very close track of those people. If no one knows where you are, no one can go find you if you get into trouble."
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