2008.05.23
Day 12: Tornado close encounter!
WaKEENEY, Kan. -- Words are not exactly swirling through my mind at nearly midnight after today's storm chase of a lifetime in western Kansas. We saw EIGHT tornadoes in a single afternoon and evening, as we tagged supercell after supercell riding along roughly the same track, just southwest and west of here. But it will always be the day's last intercept that will be best remembered, as we watched a tornado cross the road less than a mile in front of us as the day's late light and the storm's ample precipitation in the form of rain and hail provided an amber background. Unfortunately, we would experience a little too much of that rain and hail ourselves, propelled by winds approaching 80 mph. The narrow road and other chase vehicles did not allow us to turn and leave fast enough as the tornado swirled a band of rain and hail around it's backside. So, we got "hooked." We were swallowed by the blinding rain and pounded by hail, most of it dime-sized, but with a few golfball-sized chunks mixed in. The vans became separated, as Dave Carroll's van was near the rear and able to get back on the highway first (literally by backing up down the gravel road). He eased toward a gravel road that turned east, enabling him to escape the hook faster. I could only pull on to the side of the highway and let the tempest past, as it shook the vans and blasted them with hail. Eventually, via radio and cellphone, Dave and Andrew Smith were able to guide me to the same road they were on, as the rain, wind and hail finally slackened with the storm rocketing northward.
I'm sure I'll have much more to write about this day, and more pictures to show, in the future, but for now, I just need a good night's rest.
A tornado crosses the road in front of storm chasers south of WaKeeney, Kansas
Follow Kevin's progress on this map.
The previous video from Storm Chase 2008 was posted May 22.
For more on Storm Chase 2008, click here.
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Kevin,
Thanks for taking us back here along with you and your group. We really appreciate it, and your descriptions and pictures are excellent. Please be careful, and try not to get too "hooked" again!
We'll be looking forward to your next report! Thanks again!!
Comment by Carter Craigie — May 23, 2008 @ 7:22 am
Wow! I found myself holding my breath as I read your post, Kevin!! How exciting and how thankful I am all are safe! Can't wait to hear the whole story, you guys are really amazing and a little bit nuts
Keep up the good work and be safe - lots of prayers and good wishes go with you all.
Comment by Cindi Eaton — May 23, 2008 @ 9:17 am
I live in WaKeeney, on the side of town that took the hit. My comment is that I have never seen so many storm chasers. Is this for science, or a "rush" ?
Comment by windblown — May 23, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
That video of the tornado got my heart beating fast.
Comment by Roger Pommerenke — May 23, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Windblown in Wakeeney: I won't pretend to speak for all storm chasers, but our group is focused on education. We have a history of our storm chasers going on to degrees and careers in meteorology, forecasting and warning for the general public, and even those who don't often become Skywarn spotters or at leat have a new sense of perpective about weather. Our group focuses on the science of weather and respect for the people who live in the Plains. That said ... the sight of a tornado close up, often for the first time for some of our chasers, does fan sometimes fan some excitement, as you can hear in the video. But if this were just for a "rush" or we operated disrespectful of the wonderful people we meet in the nation's heartland, I would not be a part of it. But again, I'm speaking only for the chase trip Dave Carroll and I lead, not for all storm chasers.
Comment by Kevin Myatt — May 24, 2008 @ 2:06 am
That being said, Kevin, you probably ought to be more selective with the video that is posted or delete the audio. The video did come across as disrespectful, especially from the perspective of someone like Windblown.
Comment by Concerned — May 26, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
Concerned: I appreciate your perspectve, but I'd prefer to present the moment as it happened rather than denying the readers of this blog a dramatic weather moment or hiding something by deleting the audio. It is what it is.
This tornado was in completely open territory at the time of this video, and it may or may not have been what eventually hit WaKeeney. I would feel much differently if someone were actively cheering on actual destruction.
I've written extensively before about my own dual feelings about storms, recognizing their destructive potential yet also realizing their awesome power and beauty. I lived most of my life in a state that was and is a frequent tornado target (Arkansas) and I've been connected to the sorrow tornadoes cause. Yet I still go to look for them and am fascinated by them.
Comment by Kevin Myatt — May 26, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
I'm greatful for chasers such as yourselves who actually got good video of this tornado and share it! My and Darrin Rasberry intercepted his tornado from birth but didn't get any good video of it because it was my first "real" tornado of the year and like a fool I left the camcorder turned on and recording on the front seat! Did get some video grabs of the funnel though, what a beautiful storm! It actually struck the airport at Wakeeny where we had previously been sitting! Once again, awsome video!
Craig
Comment by CraigM — June 21, 2008 @ 9:40 pm