2013-1-29 REPORTS: IL/MO/AR/OK/TX

[Adam Lucio]

Got to exercise the chase muscles today. Not too much other than a whales mouth and some good examples of low level rotation that never made it to the ground. Felt good to at least get out there again!

Full Log: http://www.aerostorms.com/storm-chase-log-january-29th-illinois/

 

[Dan Robinson]

I stayed in the St. Louis metro area for this event. My log for the day with images and video is here:

http://stormhighway.com/blog2013/jan2913a.shtml

 

[Shawn Gossman]

In Perry County, Illinois - we got at least 55 MPH gusts and I'd say some higher amounts as well. The county I was in was where I was working at the time. Right after I initiated the alarms and made the announcement for everyone to get to the storm shelter areas (im security there), I stayed in the guard office to monitor the radar. Looked outside briefly and heard the sound of a freight train, winds really picked up and the flag pole was bending and stressing so much the flag almost touched the ground.

At that point, since we were under a tornado warning, I assumed to worst and figured a tornado was coming so I ran for my life LOL. Then right as I got into the building, I was hearing loud crashing sounds and that just added to my worry making me think the plant was getting torn apart - haa.

Later on after the fact, it was all just wind from what we can tell but those crash sounds was the wind carrying 2, 300 pound (each) roof A/C unit covers... 1 was carried about 100 feet and then sent into the plant manager's office window and the other was thrown about 300 feet to a electrical building on the edge of the property line.

I wish I had photos or videos for you all but I don't

 

[Albert Rodriguez]

After seeing all the crapvection , I decided to head to Gainesville and this picture is the highlight of my day. It was nice to get out and get back into chase mode.

 

[Shane Adams]

We went out just because I didn't want to miss a freak tornado on a freak storm just down the road in east Texas ahead of the line. I expected nothing. We drove to Greenville, sat in their local Starbucks drinking pumpkin lattes (they still have them) for a few hours, then drove home. Didn't even observe thunder or lightning from the line.

 

[Stephen Levine]

Departed Dallas at 4:45 and headed for East Texas, after missing the storm as it moved overhead due to a staff meeting at work.
The storm front accelerated as it pushed to our east and I finally caught up to it after dark near Tyler. The system produced a significant round of brilliant power flashes silhouetting clouds and horizon, occasional full sky lightning flashes and very heavy rains driven by winds gusting to about 45 MPH at my location. It was soul nourishing and well worth the 225 mile round trip that evening...