WX4CHR
Ham Radio Operator and Storm Chaser
That is one of many storm chases I have been on. This tornado was the satellite tornado near Protection, Kansas on April 23, 2007. This tornado never struck the town of Protection directly but did strike some farms. The larger tornado is pictured below. As far I know, nobody was injured or hurt in either tornado but if you watched the Discover Channel "Storm Chasers", they attempted to get their TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) inside the larger tornado but was unsuccessful. The TIV is in conjunction with research with the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology and NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) to intercept a tornado and gain live footage from the inside of a tornado. Personally, I think it's a suicide mission to ram a vehicle into a tornado but if it will aid in advance warnings and there is someone willing to do it, you have my blessings (and prayers)! I think it's a joint scientific / private venture to get this footage from inside the tornado. I've seen the TIV on several of my storm chases over the last few years. I always have a good feeling when I see the TIV or DOW (Doppler on Wheels) on my storm chases because that normally reflects that I'm thinking right when I prepare my personal forecasts for a storm chase.
The biggest part of a storm chase that I have experienced is a deep respect to God and His awesome power. If you've never been on a storm chase before, you'll understand if you do go on a successful storm chase. To see His amazing power at work at the creation of some of the most powerful storms in the Great Plains is absolutely amazing. The experience gives you a whole new perspective on things in general, well, at least it did for me. Those that have gone on storm chases with me have experienced the same.
I am also a ham radio operator. You can read more about that on the "Ham Radio" page. Outside of that, I am a conservative kind-of guy that enjoys monitoring nationwide and worldwide news, outside of my enjoyment in the field of law enforcement and emergency management. Lastly, I am a member of the Lewisville Church of Christ which is located in Lewisville, Texas.
If you'd ever like to go on a storm chase, I am more than happy to let you tag along. The only thing I ask is that you help on the cost of fuel (in other words, we split the fuel cost every time we stop for fuel). Fuel cost will obviously be determined as the storm chase proceeds and depends on how far the chase takes us. I would also hope that you have medical insurance just as a precautionary measure. Don't worry, I've never been hurt in a storm chase but you can never be too cautious when travelling for such a long distance. And yes, I have a good driving record!