Tornado Outbreak 2013: What's Driving Amateurs to Risk Lives to Photograph Tornadoes?

By: By Sean Breslin

Published: November 20,2013

 

 

 

 

 

Self-described storm chaser Todd Cannon decided his 6-year-old son, Matthew, was finally old enough to join him for a tornado pursuit Sunday, so the two loaded up the car at their Washington, Ill. home and took to the roads in search of a reported tornado that was approaching their town.
The pair barely survived the ordeal, as the EF4 tornado slammed their automobile with debris in a close brush with the storm, according to the Pekin Times. The report also mentioned Cannon had difficulty navigating the roads during the storm because so many others had also left their homes to look for the tornado-warned storm.
In the social media age, where "likes" and shares trump all, amateur storm chasers will risk everything for a shot or clip that will go viral, experts say.
"When they find themselves in the position to actually see and observe (severe weather), they think they can be like our broadcast meteorologists and get those pictures, too," said Dr. Laura Myers, social science researcher at the University of Alabama.
Mike Bettes, meteorologist and veteran storm chaser at The Weather Channel, says he has seen a recent, dramatic increase in traffic near tornadoes in progress, which elevates the danger for all involved.
"Inexperienced chasers may not know how to escape from a bad situation or know where to go for shelter," Bette said. "Experienced chasers struggle with this every day they're out there. Now,throw first-time chasers into the mix, and the danger increases exponentially."
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Less than six months ago, three storm chasers – Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young – were killed by a massive tornado in El Reno, Okla., despite being known around the weather world as one of the most meticulous teams on the road. Bettes was also caught up in the same tornado, suffering minor injuries when his Tornado Hunt chase car was flipped several times by the tornado's devastating winds.
If the unpredictability of twisters isn't enough of a challenge for scientists looking to study these storms, they also have to deal with gawkers clogging the roadways as they try to stay a safe distance from these cones of destruction.
Nick Wiltgen, weather.com meteorologist and native of the Plains, shared advice for those who strive to become celebrities by chasing a tornado.
"Tornadoes are an incredible and rare sight to behold, and in an age when most of us have a smartphone camera with us at all times, it's understandable that people will want to record their experience," he said. "But there are a few things people should carefully consider."

• Do you have a plan for taking shelter? If you can see a tornado, you'd better know where you're going to hide if it comes your way. And if you're on the road, you shouldn't assume that all your escape routes are open – downed trees, wires, and traffic could block your escape.
• Second, do you know which way the tornado is going? Chances are, if it's not moving quickly to the left or right of you, it may be coming directly toward you and your time might be better spent going to shelter.
• Finally, what's it worth to you? Flying or falling debris can occur well outside the visible funnel of a strong tornado. And a seemingly tame tornado can suddenly grow and intensify in a matter of seconds. Are you comfortable risking serious injury to get the video or the photo?

"Let's be real: Plenty of people take photos and videos of tornadoes without being harmed," Wiltgen added. "But I'm seeing more and more people wait until the last possible second to take shelter while shooting video. I'm not one to tell people how to live their lives, but I firmly believe people should think about their priorities and make well-informed decisions about how they are going to handle dangerous weather emergencies."
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For Cannon and his son, a hiding spot from the worst of the tornado was found at the last second, and the two survived. Nevertheless, the pair had an up-close experience with a twister they won't soon forget.
"It was shaking," Cannon told the Pekin Times. "I didn't think we were going to make it."

MORE: Aerial Shots of Tornado Devastation

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This aerial view on Nov. 18, 2013, shows three people walking down a street where homes were destroyed by a tornado that hit the western Illinois town of Washington on Sunday. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)