Florida’s favorite forecaster has vanished from the airwaves — and viewers want answers.
Matt Devitt, long known to Southwest Florida audiences as “the most popular weatherman in the land,” was abruptly fired from WINK News after a decade at the station. The decision was made on January 8. No warning. No explanation. No on-air goodbye.
The 37-year-old meteorologist broke the news himself on Facebook, calling the firing “a complete shock” to him, his family, and even some coworkers.
“This decision was not one that I expected or agreed with,” Devitt wrote. “And I was not given the opportunity to say goodbye on-air.”
His message detonated across the region. Fans flooded social media, demanding to know why the station axed the man who guided them through some of the state’s worst storms.
Devitt joined WINK News in 2014 and became a trusted voice during some of Florida’s most terrifying weather events. Viewers leaned on him during Hurricanes Irma, Helene, and Milton. Many credit him with keeping their families alive.
“He always kept the hype out of it,” Fort Myers resident Doug Raley told us. “He talked to us like neighbors. When things were bad, you believed him.”
Former colleagues say Devitt’s firing blindsided them too. One longtime staff member, speaking anonymously, said the newsroom learned about his exit only after Devitt posted it online.
“There was no memo. No meeting. Nothing. Just gone,” the staffer said. “People are stunned.”
WINK News declined to comment, even as viewers bombarded their public posts with angry messages. The station has offered no explanation for the decision.
Devitt’s wife, Elizabeth, expressed public support almost immediately, posting a heartfelt message on Facebook:
“Life is a mountain range, and there is no other person I want to conquer mountains with than you,” she wrote.
Friends say the sudden change hit the family hard. Devitt confirmed he plans to step back briefly to spend time with his wife and their two young children.
“I’m taking a pause to reset and be with my family,” he said. “I’ve missed them, and I’m looking forward to every minute.”
WINK’s Facebook page has turned into a virtual protest. Every new post from the station is drowned out by a chorus of the same message:
“Bring back Matt!”
Some viewers say they no longer trust the station. Others vowed to stop watching altogether.
“Your dedication during hurricanes is unmatched,” one fan wrote. “WINK made a big mistake.”
Another added, “For ten years we asked each other, ‘What did Matt say today?’ We feel like we lost a friend.”
A third commenter took a jab at station management: “I’m guessing the new boss is behind this… just like those silly pins everyone had to start wearing.”
Even without a TV studio, Devitt isn’t going silent. He says he’ll continue delivering weather updates to his 1.2 million Facebook followers.
“It’s a privilege to serve this community,” he said. “I always gave you everything I had.”
His future in TV remains unclear. But insiders tell us rival stations in Florida and beyond would be “crazy not to call him.”
As one viewer put it: “He’ll be back on TV somewhere. And we’ll follow him wherever he goes.”
The station’s weather team now includes six meteorologists — none of whom have commented publicly on Devitt’s firing.
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