In the realm of broadcast meteorology, one must keep viewers engaged through all venues including through social media. During severe weather, it is even more important to keep individuals updated and safe on TV and social media. July 2018 was the wettest July on record in Harrisburg, PA and between July 21st and July 26th significant precipitation fell causing major flooding for areas such as Lancaster County, Lebanon County, and Schuylkill County. A local news station, WHP CBS 21, in Harrisburg, was able to get ahead of the floods by issuing “Weather Warn Days” to alert those affected about the threatening weather and subsequent floods. Weather Warn Days kept individuals ahead of the weather to come, but CBS also experienced major bumps in social media engagements and viewership on the local channel. Total engagements during the flood week tripled compared to a regular weather week.This has the potential to provide broadcast meteorologists with a better idea on which graphics to use.
