sowny.net | The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum


You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

May 31, 2020 7:35 pm  #1


How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

Interesting article by Barrie Today explaining how CKBB AM, CKVR TV, and print handled coverage of the devistating and infamous tornado on May 31, 1985.  I wasn't there at the time, but later worked with a couple of the names mentioned.  They rarely discussed what happened.

News teams witness immediate devastation of Barrie Tornado 35 years ago today


 

 

May 31, 2020 8:22 pm  #2


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

I bet you didn't know that Bob Templeton the VP of Telemedia Radio that had properties in Midland (I worked there once) at CKMP and CFOR in Orillia with Braden Doer, was written up in Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's Chicken Soup for the Soul book...it was how they responded to the Tornado in Barrie, here is the link to it.

Bob was the man that gave me my start in radio way back when!

Here is the link, submitted by Bob Proctor...who is well known in the personal growth biz and lives in Thornhill.




https://books.google.ca/books?id=XI0F7jSjg44C&pg=PT96&lpg=PT96&dq=bob+templeton+chicken+soup+for+the+soul&source=bl&ots=ajoZ1q29kW&sig=ACfU3U2gn6JtTWNiqgU9wLbMROX_BnWBCA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiygK-Zq9_pAhVYLs0KHXM9B2MQ6AEwAnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=bob%20templeton%20chicken%20soup%20for%20the%20soul&f=false
 


The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
 

June 1, 2020 8:47 am  #3


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

I remember that day.  My family and I were heading up to Penetang to visit my Mother.  The traffic on the 400 was the worst I had seen at that point.  Didn't realize what had happened in Barrie; until we almost got to what was left of the racetrack.  We were in shock.  Once past Barrie everything was normal again.  Sad day for the locals.

Last edited by John D (June 1, 2020 8:48 am)

 

June 1, 2020 9:48 am  #4


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

My question is, if another, similar tragedy took place in Barrie or similar-sized community today, is there enough local media to cover it?

 

June 3, 2020 2:30 am  #5


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

Broodcaster wrote:

My question is, if another, similar tragedy took place in Barrie or similar-sized community today, is there enough local media to cover it?

Obviously there are very few local media outlets left to cover such a disaster.  But i think that based on some of the most recent events including the Ft McMurray fires, Ottawa floodings/tornados, etc.... the national arms of CBC/CTV/Global would provide coverage.  It may not be person to person as it was with the Barrie tragedy,  I hate saying that, but it's the best we'll get from now on in smaller markets.

     Thread Starter
 

June 3, 2020 8:49 am  #6


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

Broodcaster wrote:

My question is, if another, similar tragedy took place in Barrie or similar-sized community today, is there enough local media to cover it?

In the case of Barrie there is likely four times as many radio stations in that area now as compared to 35 years ago.
And as we have seen with COVID-19 especially in smaller markets, stations can adapt for special coverage in times of need. And of course there was no social media around in 1985, and this would be a big factor getting the word out with coverage and needed information for the public. 

CTV2 in Barrie I am sure would have extensive coverage of any major event like a tornado, and of course there is still the local paper.  CTV would likely pool resources with other stations, similar what CHUM did for CKVR back in 1985.

 

June 3, 2020 11:29 am  #7


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

CKVR was also lucky not to lose their station and tower to the Tornado.  A few  years prior they lost their tower to a plane. 

 

June 3, 2020 11:58 am  #8


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

markow202 wrote:

CKVR was also lucky not to lose their station and tower to the Tornado.  A few  years prior they lost their tower to a plane. 

that's right, forgot about that.  not only VR, but CHAY FM radio was on that tower too.  i recall that in the 90s when CHAY was erecting their new studios, we found twisted bits of metal from that tower crash in the basement of the old building.
 

     Thread Starter
 

June 3, 2020 12:09 pm  #9


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

The Barrie Archive has a few remarkable items relating to both of those stories. 

In this one, a very young Kevin Frankish is seen interviewing a man after the tornado struck. 

And in this one, there's 10 minutes of random video footage from the destruction of the CKVR Tower accident. 

In fact, there's a plethora of CKVR related pics and videos on the site if you're from there or ever worked there that might be of interest. You can see them all here.  

 

June 3, 2020 12:35 pm  #10


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

RadioActive wrote:

The Barrie Archive has a few remarkable items relating to both of those stories. 

In this one, a very young Kevin Frankish is seen interviewing a man after the tornado struck. 

And in this one, there's 10 minutes of random video footage from the destruction of the CKVR Tower accident. 

In fact, there's a plethora of CKVR related pics and videos on the site if you're from there or ever worked there that might be of interest. You can see them all here.  

An awesome pic and wonder why they used a Mercedes for a camera car!  

https://www.barriearchive.ca/piece/keith-cheney-geoff-bruce-another-camera-man-rig-camera-car-campus-ckvr-television-beacon-road/
 

 

June 3, 2020 3:09 pm  #11


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

paterson1 wrote:

Broodcaster wrote:

My question is, if another, similar tragedy took place in Barrie or similar-sized community today, is there enough local media to cover it?

In the case of Barrie there is likely four times as many radio stations in that area now as compared to 35 years ago.
And as we have seen with COVID-19 especially in smaller markets, stations can adapt for special coverage in times of need. And of course there was no social media around in 1985, and this would be a big factor getting the word out with coverage and needed information for the public. 

CTV2 in Barrie I am sure would have extensive coverage of any major event like a tornado, and of course there is still the local paper.  CTV would likely pool resources with other stations, similar what CHUM did for CKVR back in 1985.

I agree CTV2 and the local paper would be there plus the out of town media.  Not sure about local radio though, especially if something happened on a weekend.
 

 

June 3, 2020 8:58 pm  #12


Re: How Barrie media handled the tornado 35 years ago today

My cousin  lived in the townhouses that were just behind the houses in the picture. I was in there the next day to help him recover what was left of his belongings. The images of the devestation have never left my memory. I recall two school buses pulling up with a police escort, and about 60 Mennonite men in their blue and black outfits rolling up their sleeves and offering to help with the clean up. I still have a Panasonic turntable that a fellow was leaving behind and gave to me from a neighboring unit.