Atlanta-based extreme weather reporter reflects on covering natural disasters

A downed power line in Augusta.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., talks with people affected ted by Hurricane Helene before Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives, in Augusta, Ga., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The slow recovery from last month’s hurricane continues across the Southeast, and another powerful storm has just struck Florida. Meteorologists and reporters are attempting to keep the public informed.

In the past weeks, Judson Jones has traveled across storm-damaged communities reporting on the stories of people recovering from dangerous winds, flooding and wreckage from debris.

The Atlanta-based meteorologist and New York Times reporter covers extreme weather. He recently spoke to “All Things Considered” about what qualifies weather as “extreme.”

Jones says it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish the extreme from the everyday, as scientists believe warmer air and ocean temperatures are contributing to stronger, wetter storms.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.