As Floridians, we’re no strangers to hurricanes and tropical weather. After weathering a few storm seasons, many residents are more interested in shopping for hurricane snacks than evacuation. But after the impacts of Helene and Milton last year, being prepared takes on new importance. Having a trusted source of information is a big part of that preparation. For decades, one of the most popular and trusted resources during hurricane season has been Denis Phillips, Chief Meteorologist with ABC Action News.
Denis developed an interest in TV meteorology at just 6 years old. “Back in the day, you couldn’t track Santa online. You would watch the weather on Christmas Eve. I thought, what a cool job. You can track Santa and get paid for it,” shared Phillips. His interest in weather continued, especially severe weather. “It turned from a passing fancy to more of an obsession back in 1974. We had the super tornado outbreak across the country. It was really horrible. It was one of those fear but passion kind of things with storms, and at that point, I was completely hooked,” he said.
After attending Penn State, Denis began his on-air weather career in Salisbury, Maryland. He then had his first taste of Florida working in the Gainesville market. After a brief stint in Providence, Rhode Island, he landed in Los Angeles. “I was there for three years. My boss in LA took a job in Tampa to start a new news operation. He asked if I wanted to come to Tampa. I was not a fan of LA weather because there’s no weather to talk about. It was really boring. So, getting an opportunity to come back to Florida was perfect,” explained Phillips. After over 30 years in the Tampa Bay area, Denis and his family have put down roots, making Tampa Bay their home. “We just fell in love with everything this area has to offer. It’s just a great place to live,” he added.
Over the years, Denis has determined that there is more to his job than just reporting the weather. “I realized with Irma that my job is way more. My job is getting them through a storm with the least amount of anxiety as humanly possible. Because there is so much hype and misinformation out there. Let’s be honest, you can get the forecast in a lot of places these days, but do you have somebody who you trust, who you’ve grown up with, who will walk you through it and say this might really be awful, but we’re going to get through it. Because it isn’t just about getting the weather right. It’s about getting people through the stressful situation,” shared Phillips.
Denis recognizes the trust that viewers put in him and doesn’t take it lightly. Above all, he seeks to dispel the rumors and hype and just give the facts needed to decide the best course of action for their family. “I’ve chosen not to tell people they have to evacuate. My nightmare scenario is I tell somebody you should evacuate, and they have a car wreck. I literally think about that all the time. But what I can say is you’re going to have seven feet of water in New Port Richey. You have to use that information and decide on your own,” said Phillips.
Being prepared for hurricane season is as simple as sourcing a solid hurricane supply list from a reputable source like the Red Cross or FEMA. If you follow these lists, you’ll have what you need to manage a storm when it hits. With that in place, Phillips recommends identifying a solid resource you trust for information, and sticking with it through the storm. “Scrolling through everything, trying to get as much information as you can, you’re going to hear a lot of conflicting stuff. Try to block out the other noise around you,” explained Phillips.
Those who follow Phillips are familiar with his hurricane rules and the much touted “Rule #7 – Don’t Freak Out”. What few know is that started out as simple guidance during panic over Hurricane Issac in 2012 and then took on a life of its own. Now it’s a hurricane season staple and a frequent reminder to stay focused, even when things get serious. “I realized there’s no way you’re going to make a decision to protect your family if you’re freaking out. So, it still remained relevant,” shared Phillips.
Hurricane season is a fact of life in Florida, but it doesn’t have to create anxiety. Being well prepared and having a solid resource for timely information can make all the difference in keeping you and your family safe, regardless of what comes our way.
“My job is getting them through a storm with the least amount of anxiety.”