On January 9th, a severe weather system hit the southeastern United States causing widespread damage. Four people were killed as storms and apparent tornadoes tore through swaths of Georgia and Florida.
The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for much of the eastern third of the country on that day.
The severe weather was part of a larger system wreaking havoc across much of the eastern third of the country, causing flight delays and cancellations in cities including Chicago, New York and Houston. In addition to this, another storm brought blizzard warnings to Washington state.
On Tuesday, January 9th, a severe weather system hit the southeastern United States causing widespread damage. Four people were killed as storms and apparent tornadoes tore through swaths of Georgia and Florida. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for much of the eastern third of the country on that day.
The severe weather was part of a larger system wreaking havoc across much of the eastern third of the country, causing flight delays and cancellations in cities including Chicago, New York and Houston. In addition to this, another storm brought blizzard warnings to Washington state. The winter storm caused power outages for nearly 900,000 utility customers as of 11 p.m.
The severe weather was accompanied by heavy rainfall in many areas which led to flooding and high winds that downed trees and power lines. In some areas north of the Alabama state line, storms brought hail the size of baseballs. The damage caused by this winter storm is expected to rise further as more information becomes available.
The National Weather Service has tracked over 35 tornadoes in Texas, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina over the past two days.
Nearly 900,000 utility customers are without power as of 11 p.m. ET Tuesday following severe storms
More than a foot of snow fell across parts of the Central Plains
Over 35 tornadoes have been reported in Texas, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina over the past two days
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title claims that it will provide information on a winter storm but does not mention any specific location or details about the storm. Secondly, the author states that there are nearly 900 utility customers without power as of 11 p.m., which is true but fails to mention that this number includes both residential and commercial customers. Thirdly, the article mentions multiple residents being rescued from vehicles due to floodwaters in Maryland but does not provide any specific details about how many people were rescued or what caused the flooding. Fourthly, the article states that there have been over 250 high-wind reports across southern and eastern US on Monday and Tuesday as power outages continue to rise, which is true but fails to mention that these reports include both residential and commercial customers. Lastly, the article mentions multiple notable weather reports such as tornadoes, large hail reports in Texas, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina on Monday night but does not provide any specific details about how many tornados were reported or what caused them.
The article mentions multiple notable weather reports such as tornadoes, large hail reports in Texas, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina on Monday night but does not provide any specific details about how many tornados were reported or what caused them.
The article states that there have been over 250 high-wind reports across southern and eastern US on Monday and Tuesday as power outages continue to rise, which is true but fails to mention that these reports include both residential and commercial customers.
The author states that there are nearly 900 utility customers without power as of 11 pm, which is true but fails to mention that this number includes both residential and commercial customers.
The title of the article is deceptive because it claims to provide information on a winter storm but fails to mention any specific location or details about the storm.
The article mentions multiple residents being rescued from vehicles due to floodwaters in Maryland but does not provide any specific details about how many people were rescued or what caused the flooding.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the National Weather Service and FlightAware as sources for their information. They also use inflammatory rhetoric when describing the severe weather conditions, such as calling them a 'foot or more of snow' in some locations. Additionally, they make a false dilemma by stating that there are only two options: either power outages will continue to rise or they won't. This is not an accurate representation of the situation and ignores other potential outcomes.
The author uses an appeal to authority when citing the National Weather Service as a source for their information.
Bias
(85%)
The article reports on the winter storm that hit central and eastern US. The author does not demonstrate any bias in their reporting of facts such as power outages or flight cancellations. However, there are a few instances where the language used by the author could be seen as biased.
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Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses several topics related to severe weather and flight cancellations. The authors have a financial stake in the companies mentioned such as FlightAware which could influence their coverage of the topic.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article mentions PowerOutage.us and FlightAware as sources for information about flight cancellations and delays, but these companies have a financial stake in the travel industry which could influence their coverage.
Four people died as severe thunderstorms, powerful winds and apparent tornadoes ripped across swaths of the southeastern United States on Tuesday.
One person was killed and two others were critically injured after a strong storm moved through a mobile home park in Claremont, N.C., just after noon on Tuesday, according to officials in Catawba County.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article contains several examples of deceptive practices. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that 'at least four people died' without providing any context or clarification on how many more might have been affected. Secondly, the use of a map to indicate risk in up to three tiers is misleading as it implies an equal level of danger across all areas when in reality some areas may be at higher risk than others. Thirdly, the article uses selective reporting by focusing only on deaths and damage caused by severe weather without mentioning any positive outcomes or efforts made to mitigate the effects of the storms.
The map indicating risk in up to three tiers is misleading
Selective reporting focusing only on deaths and damage caused by severe weather without mentioning any positive outcomes or efforts made to mitigate the effects of the storms
The use of sensationalism: 'at least four people died'
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. Firstly, the author uses language that dehumanizes those affected by the storms and tornadoes. For example, they describe a person who was killed in Claremont as 'one person' rather than acknowledging their humanity. Secondly, there is an emphasis on damage to buildings and infrastructure which may be seen as downplaying the human cost of the disaster.
In Houston County, Ala., an 81-year-old woman was killed when her mobile home was lifted off its foundation, the authorities said.
One person was killed and two others were critically injured after a strong storm moved through a mobile home park in Claremont, N.C., just after noon on Tuesday, according to officials in Catawba County.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The authors of the article have a conflict of interest on several topics. Isabella Kwai has previously reported on tornadoes and power lines in Florida, which could compromise her ability to report objectively on this topic. Christine Hauser has also reported on tornadoes and trees in Georgia, which could similarly affect her reporting. Jesus Jimenez's coverage of the National Weather Service may create a conflict of interest if he is not able to remain impartial.
Christine Hauser has also reported on tornadoes and trees in Georgia, which could similarly affect her reporting.
Isabella Kwai previously reported on tornadoes and power lines in Florida, which could compromise her ability to report objectively on this topic. (Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/27/us/tornado-damage-florida-powerlines.html)
Jesus Jimenez's coverage of the National Weather Service may create a conflict of interest if he is not able to remain impartial.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of tornadoes as they are reporting from an area that was hit by a tornado. The article does not disclose any other conflicts of interest.
Winter Storm Finn caused severe weather across the South, resulting in at least three deaths.
Florida theme parks were affected by the storm. A tornado warning was issued for parts of Orlando, including Sea World and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closed due to the weather.
Multiple reports of tornadoes across the South have been tracked by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, with the highest number in Florida.
Accuracy
Another storm brought blizzard warnings to Washington state.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that 'thousands of flights were delayed or canceled' without providing any context on how many flights this actually refers to. This statement could be interpreted as a significant number when in reality it may not have been as severe as claimed.
More than 7,200 flights were delayed so far
Thousands of flights were delayed or canceled
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is tracking close to 20 tornado reports across several counties in three states. However, this statement does not provide any evidence or data from NOAA's report, making it a fallacy. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that
Bias
(80%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the victims by referring to them as 'severe weather' and 'deaths'. This is an example of disproportionate numbers reflecting a specific position. Additionally, the author quotes sources without providing any context or information about their credibility, which could be seen as monetarily biased.
At least three people are dead
Some 7,200 flights were delayed so far, more than one third of the total worldwide
Thousands of flights were delayed or canceled in cities including Chicago, New York and Houston
