Images From ABC 33/40 Coverage Of Tropical Storm Bonnie - August 11-12, 2004

Read my "blog" from the entire trip here.

Our initial set-up at the Bay County public beach in Panama City on Wednesday afternoon. You can see the ABC 33/40 satellite truck, staffed by David Polk, in the background. Bill Castle is behind the camera. I am the guy in the red shirt.

Bill Castle is the best photographer I have ever worked with. And, I have worked with a bunch of good ones. His video is simply the best, and as you can see he isn't shy about getting close to the action.

Bill sets up a portable generator on the beach to literally light up the Gulf of Mexico. This was the set-up for our 10:00 live report on ABC 33/40. I am getting the various audio and IFB cables in place. Out of the 10 stations broadcasting from this beach, I can assure you our shot looked the best thanks to Bill's work!

David Polk gets out of the truck to run cables. I have worked with David for over 10 years, and he always gets us on the air in very difficult situations. You can imagine how this truck begins to rock and roll with hurricane force winds.

My son, J.P. Spann, on the pier alongside Bill Castle.

A rather eerie but beautiful glimpse of the sun with a strong tropical storm only about one hundred miles offshore - due south of us. David Peters and J.P. Spann are with me on the Bay County pier.


This was taken during our live reports for Good Morning Alabama early Thursday morning as Bonnie approached the coast. Notice the ominous clouds over the Gulf; we were on the lookout for waterspouts at the time. We were on the second floor at the Chateau Motel in Panama City Beach.