With Hurricane Florence barrelling towards the east coast of the United States, the country's biggest networks sent their best-known stars to cover the unfolding mayhem.

The result has been wall-to-wall TV coverage of toppled trees, 11 deaths, high winds and historic levels of rainfall.

But with the hurricane being rapidly downgraded to a tropical storm as its winds eased, TV viewers have taken to social media to mock broadcasters whom they accuse of exaggerating the effects in some cases.

In one case, the Weather Channel was forced to defend a reporter who was filmed struggling to stand, legs braced against the wind, while two passers-by - dressed in shorts - could be seen strolling casually past in the background.

It said there were other factors to consider.