Storm Chaser Deaths

[furluvcats]

Since the thrill of tornadic storms has turned into a fear of tornadic storms overnight for me, I pose this question....


Does anyone know of any storm chasers that have been caught up in the storm and lost their lives doing so?

I always thought I'd love the thrill of chasing, but I now know I am not cut out for it...so I just wondered if storm chasers are so good at what they do, and know storms so well, that they are always able to avoid catastrophe.

Thanks!

[Stormsfury]

So far, to my knowledge, not one storm chaser has lost their lives to due to storm chasing (at least in the US).

[Aslkahuna]

no storm chaser has been killed by a tornado proper though there have been some close calls. There have been chasers killed in automobile accidents due mainly to driving too fast for conditions. Chasers have been injured and/or their vehicles thoroughly trashed by large hail. Lightning is actually the greatest risk faced by chasers since they are usually far enough away from tornadoes not to be at great risk from them. Probably every chaser has at least one war story about having lightning hit a pole 50 feet away, having their tripods electrified, or having their vehicles struck or nearly so.

Steve

[JetMaxx]

There were apparently three storm chasers killed in Mississippi in a 1975 tornado near McComb. I've read it in several reports, and was told about it firsthand by a longtime Mississippi TV meteorologist when I lived there in the mid 1990's.

They were members of a tornado intercept team from a the University of Mississippi, and were killed when their chase vehicle was trapped and tossed by the violent (F4) tornado.

I've been expecting it to happen...there are too many out there now that are trying to make money, and taking very dangerous chances like punching the core (driving through a tornadic supercell from the east or northeast); which is extremely risky.

Also, there are a lot of chasers that aren't knowledgable with the mechanics of tornadic supercells...don't realize multiple tornadoes and landspouts can drop down anywhere under the mesocyclone circulation. A small car can be tossed by even a 90-100 mph F1, and kill those inside.

Large tornadic supercells can have multiple rotations...and things can change in an eyeblink. A good friend of mine (Brian Stertz) and his chase partner (Jeff Pietroski) came very close to being killed in a large F3 tornado in Nebraska a few years ago. Even after years of storm chasing, an unexpected mechanical problem with their chase van and a rapidly moving tornado almost got them killed (Brian said his feet were swept from underneath him while beating on the door of a home where they sought shelter...he weighed 260 lbs). The home was badly damaged as they and the woman living there huddled in the basement.

Storm chasing is potentially very dangerous. I never take chances...always stay southeast of the wall cloud, and give it a wide berth (several miles). I may never get rich, but my chase partner and I will stay alive.

Perry

[Aslkahuna]

tends to cut it very, very close-maybe too close. In the Moore 1999 tornado and again in the recent one he was close enough to the tornado to have power poles falling all around him. In 1999, during a night chase on May 3rd (I never chase at night) he wound up in the path of what was fortunately a F1 tornado and managed to survive.

Steve

[Lindaloo]

You are correct Perry. They also used those deaths in the movie "Twister"

[GulfBreezer]

I have only heard of the deaths that have already been mentioned.

I have ALWAYS wanted to be a storm chaser! Even in just a ride-along capacity! Mother Nature is an awesome and dangerous force and should be respected.

So Perry, you are a real honest to goodness storm chaser? Wow! I would love to hear about some of your experiences!

[JetMaxx]

I don't chase every year, (or very often in recent years). I've been a Skywarn spotter for 22 years, and use what chasing I do to keep the NWS informed and get quicker warnings to the public. I've never chased in Tornado Alley (yet)...but instead here in the southeast (northern Georgia/ north Alabama/ eastern and middle Tennessee).

I also chased quite a bit while living in central Mississippi in 1995-96. Saw two tornadoes and some tennis ball sized hail. Around Douglasville, I have a certain spot on high ground...near Arbor Place mall, SSW of the city. You can see for miles from south through north...a fantastic view of the entire western horizon. Instead of chasing, I just sit and watch...let them come to me. I recently witnessed an awesome wall cloud, and my report to NWS FFC prompted a tornado warning for Douglas County (I also advised the NWS about scanner reports of two funnel clouds just across the Carroll County line).

My 18 year old baby sister (Beth) is almost as storm wacko as I am. Next spring we are planning to spend a week or two chasing in Oklahoma and north Texas. If nothing else, I can take her to visit SPC and NSSL...that would be a thrill in itself.

Steve - I don't know Jeff Pietroski...but what happened that day scared the heck out of Brian...he said it was the most frightening experience of his life -- he thought they were both dead

[furluvcats]

Perry, thanks for responding, your story is incredible. I figured there were many inexperienced chasers out there in this day and age, and wondered what the risk actually was. I pray we do not hear of more deaths involving chasers, theres been enough lately unwittingly caught in the storm. I hope novices take heed and and are very very cautious when chasing...