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Mike Bettes and his team were lucky.
They came away with bruises and needed stitches after being hurled over 200 yards by the EF-3 El Reno, OK twister on Friday, May 31, 2013. Their mangled chase vehicle was severely contorted. After this news, many in the meteorological community hoped that this near death experience of a high-profile chase team would change storm chasing in the future before someone indeed did perish.
Sadly, it was confirmed this morning that three chasers, Tim and Paul Samaras and Carl Young, died in that same tornado on Friday.
These three highly experienced storm chasers weren't your recreational folk seeking a thrill. They were trained scientists, sometimes featured on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, researching the atmospheric environment in and around tornadoes to gain a better understanding of why some storms produce tornadoes and others don't. This WAS Twister.
The outpouring of remembrance for the Tim, Paul, and Carl has been stunning and shows how tight-knit the weather community is and how many people were inspired by their work. Although I never met any of the three, I've heard numerous stories from colleagues over the past day. Those that knew Tim say he was doing amazing work and that the field as lost a great man.
This tragic event highlights the danger of storm chasing, especially for those not experienced and trained in meteorology. Unpredictable storms, combined with congested roads can lead to a "no way out" scenario.
There is certainly a bigger discussion to be had here regarding storm chasing and those that do it for research vs. those that do it to seek thrills. That however, will be saved for another day.
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While chasing is still something I'd love to do some day, events like this past Friday remind me, and the rest of the world, of the risks involved. Even with the best intentions, latest technology, and some of the smartest minds in the business, chasing Mother Nature's monsters can go horribly wrong.
RIP Tim, Paul, and Carl
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| Quite the show of remembrance. Storm chasers use their GPS locaters to position themselves in the initials of the three chasers who died Friday. |
Nat Geo's last interview with Tim
Tim Samaras Bio
