Hurricane Beryl: Jim Cantore’s Wildest Ride

July 13, 2019 - Hurricane Beryl, a rare early-season storm in the Atlantic, made landfall in North Carolina, bringing with it sustained winds of 75 mph and torrential rainfall. But for one storm chaser, Jim Cantore, this was no ordinary hurricane.

As a veteran meteorologist and storm chaser for The Weather Channel, Cantore has faced some of the most intense and destructive weather events in the world. But even he was unprepared for the ferocity of Hurricane Beryl.

“I’ve been chasing storms for over 30 years, and I’ve seen some wild rides, but this one was something else,” Cantore said in an interview after the storm. “The winds were so strong, I was worried about losing my equipment. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

Cantore’s mission was to capture the storm’s fury on camera, giving viewers a firsthand look at the devastation and chaos caused by Hurricane Beryl. He set up his equipment in the path of the storm, braving the elements to bring back critical footage of the storm’s impact.

As the storm made landfall, Cantore reported live from the beach, where he witnessed the storm surge sweeping away homes and businesses, leaving nothing but debris in its wake.

“The water was rising so fast, I had to scramble to get out of the way,” Cantore said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It was like the apocalypse.”

But Cantore’s most memorable moment came when a massive tree branch came crashing down onto his equipment, sending his cameras flying.

“I was shocked, but I knew I had to keep going,” Cantore said. “I grabbed my camera and kept reporting, even as the storm raged on around me.”

Despite the challenges, Cantore’s determination and expertise paid off, delivering some of the most thrilling and informative coverage of Hurricane Beryl’s landfall.

“We’re proud of Jim for putting himself in harm’s way to bring our viewers the truth about this powerful hurricane,” said a spokesperson for The Weather Channel.

For Cantore, the experience was a reminder of the importance of his work.

“As a storm chaser, I know the risks, but I also know the reward,” Cantore said. “When a storm like Beryl comes along, it’s a reminder of just how powerful and unpredictable mother nature is. It’s my job to help people prepare and stay safe, and I’m honored to do so.”

Hurricane Beryl may have been a short-lived but intense storm, but it will be remembered for years to come as one of the wildest rides in Jim Cantore’s long and illustrious career as a storm chaser.