From a Novice Night Chaser-LONG
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 7:13 am
Just some thoughts from a novice night chaser and some opinions. Ya'll can take 'em or leave 'em. This was officially my fourth chase, but my first night chase and one I will never forget.
1. ALWAYS take a buddy. I never realized how important this was until I was driving on the tollway and saw a funnel cloud to my north, but also saw extreme weather to my west, was trying to listen to current warnings and manuever around those that aren't as crazy as me. Virtually IMPOSSIBLE to do everything by yourself.
2. DON'T stay on the freeway if at all possible. It makes for great visibility as to what is off in the distance, but then you get trapped trying to get off and go where you see the action happening and get frustrated in the process.
3. For me who has flatly REFUSED to get a cell phone, my thinking has now been completely reversed. They are a must when traveling to check in with other chasers (specifically on this board) and family members who are fearing the worse.
4. For you women out there, choose your clothing attire carefully. A WHITE T-SHIRT, when drenched from you standing in the rain, will draw more attention than you need and you will end up getting ALOT of stares, and NOT just because you are standing in a pouring rain taking pictures when most normal folk would be inside.
5. Take defensive driving. Or Offensive driving. Or better yet, they should offer a driving class for storm chasers. NORMAL people tend to slow down in bad weather. I was trying to get around them and getting extremely frustrated. I learned real quick that visibility at night absolutely sucks but you have to not only out-manuever them but also not cause an accident.
6. IF you encounter your local law enforcement, be POLITE. They will in all likelihood think you are completely brain dead for doing what you're doing. Case in point, I was standing in the middle of a parking lot in a lightning storm trying to get pictures and had not one, but TWO of them try and persuade me to either get back inside my truck or get some serious psychiatric help. Explain to them that you are a trained spotter and it does no good. I finally convinced them that I KNEW what I was doing (which I may not have) and one even offered to let me sit in his patrol car. I politely declined.
7. Watch the road, watch the road, watch the road. It's very easy to get excited in the heat of the chase and to veer into other lanes without knowing it.
8. If someone else uses your vehicle before you and you KNOW you are going on a chase, gas up BEFORE the weather hits. I lost precious minutes after realizing that SOMEONE hadn't filled up my tank.
9. If you get slammed against your vehicle standing outside taking pictures, make sure if it happens again you're not standing next to a side mirror or anything else that will leave a really pretty bruise on your back.
10. If you use a videocam great. GET SOME SORT OF WATERPROOF COVER FOR IT. I used my my 35mm which I love but will be purchasing one of those covers for it real quick.
11. Should you encounter storm damage and there are people affected, DON'T bother them and remember they need their space. This did not happen to me on this chase, but it did on the one in November and I can't tell you how many TV people I wanted to slap for invading these people's privacy.
12. Remember that what goes up must come down. I am talking adrenaline here folks. I for one get a HUGE rush when I am chasing but once home, I come down hard and start reflecting on what I saw, what could have happened, how fortunate I was.
13. Lastly (aren't you glad I'm shutting up now?) remember to thank those who gave you a heads up, called you with info, whatever. There are alot of us out there who chase, and sharing of information is imperative. I had watched this event early during the day but then blown it off after the last few times ended up being non-events. BUT, one of my pals on here, Jim, pm'd me TWICE to let me know his view and I saw others on here as well stating this might be a good one. It was his info and others that got me on the road and safely back home.
Hugs to all and everyone have a SAFE and happy Easter.
TwisterSuz
1. ALWAYS take a buddy. I never realized how important this was until I was driving on the tollway and saw a funnel cloud to my north, but also saw extreme weather to my west, was trying to listen to current warnings and manuever around those that aren't as crazy as me. Virtually IMPOSSIBLE to do everything by yourself.
2. DON'T stay on the freeway if at all possible. It makes for great visibility as to what is off in the distance, but then you get trapped trying to get off and go where you see the action happening and get frustrated in the process.
3. For me who has flatly REFUSED to get a cell phone, my thinking has now been completely reversed. They are a must when traveling to check in with other chasers (specifically on this board) and family members who are fearing the worse.
4. For you women out there, choose your clothing attire carefully. A WHITE T-SHIRT, when drenched from you standing in the rain, will draw more attention than you need and you will end up getting ALOT of stares, and NOT just because you are standing in a pouring rain taking pictures when most normal folk would be inside.
5. Take defensive driving. Or Offensive driving. Or better yet, they should offer a driving class for storm chasers. NORMAL people tend to slow down in bad weather. I was trying to get around them and getting extremely frustrated. I learned real quick that visibility at night absolutely sucks but you have to not only out-manuever them but also not cause an accident.
6. IF you encounter your local law enforcement, be POLITE. They will in all likelihood think you are completely brain dead for doing what you're doing. Case in point, I was standing in the middle of a parking lot in a lightning storm trying to get pictures and had not one, but TWO of them try and persuade me to either get back inside my truck or get some serious psychiatric help. Explain to them that you are a trained spotter and it does no good. I finally convinced them that I KNEW what I was doing (which I may not have) and one even offered to let me sit in his patrol car. I politely declined.
7. Watch the road, watch the road, watch the road. It's very easy to get excited in the heat of the chase and to veer into other lanes without knowing it.
8. If someone else uses your vehicle before you and you KNOW you are going on a chase, gas up BEFORE the weather hits. I lost precious minutes after realizing that SOMEONE hadn't filled up my tank.
9. If you get slammed against your vehicle standing outside taking pictures, make sure if it happens again you're not standing next to a side mirror or anything else that will leave a really pretty bruise on your back.
10. If you use a videocam great. GET SOME SORT OF WATERPROOF COVER FOR IT. I used my my 35mm which I love but will be purchasing one of those covers for it real quick.
11. Should you encounter storm damage and there are people affected, DON'T bother them and remember they need their space. This did not happen to me on this chase, but it did on the one in November and I can't tell you how many TV people I wanted to slap for invading these people's privacy.
12. Remember that what goes up must come down. I am talking adrenaline here folks. I for one get a HUGE rush when I am chasing but once home, I come down hard and start reflecting on what I saw, what could have happened, how fortunate I was.
13. Lastly (aren't you glad I'm shutting up now?) remember to thank those who gave you a heads up, called you with info, whatever. There are alot of us out there who chase, and sharing of information is imperative. I had watched this event early during the day but then blown it off after the last few times ended up being non-events. BUT, one of my pals on here, Jim, pm'd me TWICE to let me know his view and I saw others on here as well stating this might be a good one. It was his info and others that got me on the road and safely back home.
Hugs to all and everyone have a SAFE and happy Easter.
TwisterSuz
I think I probably saw the precursor to it though. It was definitely some interesting chasing and in an urban or suburban setting like ours your rules are expecially important to follow. I will add one more rule to those you listed. When you are in possible flooding situations like we were yesterday be very attentive to water across lanes or the entire roadway. It is almost impossible to ascertain in the dark. I hydroplaned badly 2x yesterday because of it and I was in a heavy SUV that could easily get therought the water.
