While reporting from North Carolina during Hurricane Florence in 2018, Seidel received some media attention after a video was published showing him bracing his feet in a direction not against the wind while two men casually walked by in the background. Observers on Twitter and some comedic news headlines suggested that Seidel was exaggerating the severity of the winds. In response, The Weather Channel stated, "It’s important to note that the two individuals in the background are walking on concrete, and Mike Seidel is trying to maintain his footing on wet grass, after reporting on-air until 1:00 a.m. ET this morning and is undoubtedly exhausted."