Took a trip out to the great plains to chase on Saturday. Had some good luck ended up having front row seat to the largest tornado of the day near Salina Kansas, and EF-4. Here's the video I shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6uoM_z333Q

Here is the full version of this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKwbyybUmmc

And the other 3 brief tornadoes I got afterwards on the same storm..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRNJcfyZor0

A few stills -


Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
[Reply]

Damn, storm chasing is on my bucket list. Looks like a great time.
[Reply]

My idea of storm chasing is watching "Twister". Very cool pics, thanks for sharing.
[Reply]

Cool pics and videos but I'm reading that Kansas officials aren't overly happy with the chasers.
Posted via Mobile Device
[Reply]

Probably none to pleased with the tornadoes also.
[Reply]

Wowzers!
[Reply]

They might have a tendency to get in the way of those trying to get the hell away from them.
[Reply]

I always thought storm chasing looked fun. Great pics and thanks for posting.
[Reply]

Crazy brother, looks awesome though...great pics:-)
[Reply]

That's awesome! I'd have a hell of an adrenalin rush for sure!
[Reply]

Holy Cow. That first video is fantastic. About the 3 1/2 minute mark got real.

What a cool experience.
[Reply]

More people to treat if they get injured. More people to search for if they get to close...

However, KS officials should embrace it and realize it's the only thing to bring tourists to their God forsaken state.
[Reply]

Awesome pics!! And living in tornado alley is fun this time of year. Always an adventure.
[Reply]

There are a lot of "yahoos" out there. The main problem isn't actual storm chasers....it's the locals that try to come out and see it. They will park right in the road, stand in the road, etc. Chasers that do it all the time pull off the road completely and stay out of the road. It wasn't as bad at the news made it sound though. I've read about 300-500 cars blocking roads....hardly.....maybe 50-70.
[Reply]

Living where I do I have never witnessed a twister first hand. That must be one hell of a rush!
[Reply]

Not when you're in the car as it passes just in front of you on the highway! :-):-)

Yes, I have a story there.
[Reply]

Cool pictures! You ever see TIV2, Dominator or any of the other Discovery Storm Chasers crew out there?
[Reply]

It always amazes me that some of those storm chasers travel so far just to watch a tornado. The TIV crew for example, they are from California.
[Reply]

There is something very exciting about extreme weather, for me at least. You wont forget that for a long time.

Nice work.
[Reply]

I rode out a big hurricane in North Carolina and two typhoons in Japan. I've been in a helicopter whose engine failed and we landed on the beach with, literally, the tail of the helicopter hanging out over the surf line. Hell I've even been shot at as a civilian. Blood pumping adrenaline rush? At times, yes. But would I go searching for it? Sh!t no. Why go so far and try so hard to find danger. Just run across the freeway during rush hour and save your money for your surviving family members. :-)

I do understand some of the mindset behind the dangerous, thrill inducing sports and hobbies. Don't get me wrong. But engaging in sky diving or white water rafting is one thing; being a voyeur of others danger and potentially putting others lives at risk for ones own thrill is selfish.

If it's danger you want, if it's the thrill of surviving a near miss or being near a powerful, uncontrollable force that you need then hell, join the military. Keep the roads clear for the emergency crews who are risking their lives to save the people unfortunate enough to be unable to leave the scene of danger, and stay out of the way of those who are trying to leave the scene. Don't rush into and clog up that scene.

But that's just my two cents. People will do what they will do, as will I.
[Reply]