Columbus, Nebraska tornado of 1997 or 1998

[Tampa Dave]

I am currently looking for any DVD/video tape of the Columbus, NE tornado of 1997 or 1998. I did see some of the tornado for the first time on the Discovery Channel a few yrs ago; I've been looking ever since. For those of you who are unfamiliar w/ this tornado, the photographer caught it as it was bearing down on his home. It was huge. The supercell that spawned the tornado also was producing softball-sized hail as well. The photographer's wife was begging him to go to the basement as the tornado approached...which he refused. After a few more minutes went by, the wife began to become very scared & continued to beg her husband to stop taping the tornado. Finally he bolted for the basement...only to come back & try to tape it further. Has anyone seen this? Please let me know where I can find this. Willing to pay top dollar.

 

[Mike Umscheid]

I believe it was a local Columbus or Omaha cable company the created the video tape which included the famed "crazy farmer video". This tape also included video from other sources, chronicling this amazing tornado. This tornado is significant to me since my chase partner Jay Antle and I documented the roping stage of this tornado. Ohhh had we been there 15 minutes sooner... Everyone on ST has their story of their first tornado... Columbus, NE 23 June 1998 was mine. BTW, my chase partner Jay has a copy of that video tape... I don't know if he still has it or not. I don't even know if this tape is available anywhere anymore. -Mike U

 

[Simon Andersen]

Hey Dave, parts of the footage is on this Youtube collection of tornadovideos. Go to the 2m35s mark:
http://www.youtube.com/v/cBh3t1yUoiI
This is some of the most amazing tornadovideo I have ever seen! A longer segment on the video, including the live sound of the scene and an interview, was once available too on Youtube, but I couldn't find it.

 

[Tampa Dave]

Thanks for the quick response!

I believe it was a local Columbus or Omaha cable company the created the video tape which included the famed "crazy farmer video". This tape also included video from other sources, chronicling this amazing tornado. This tornado is significant to me since my chase partner Jay Antle and I documented the roping stage of this tornado. Ohhh had we been there 15 minutes sooner... Everyone on ST has their story of their first tornado... Columbus, NE 23 June 1998 was mine. BTW, my chase partner Jay has a copy of that video tape... I don't know if he still has it or not. I don't even know if this tape is available anywhere anymore. -Mike U

Wow, that was a prompt response! I'm very glad that you are familiar w/ that storm. The tornado ropped out & lifted just before it reached the photographer's farm, thank goodnes. It was truely awesome. Can you inquire to see if your partner has access to that tape? In trade, I can offer the Edmonton, Alberta tornado (1987) in its entirety along w/ others. Thanks again!

 

[Tampa Dave]

Hey Simon. Yes, I have seen the YouTube collection. That is only teasing me! I wanted to view this in its entirety...sound & all. The YouTube only shows about 30 seconds w/ no sound. If I'm not successful, I will have to settle for that. To my knowledge & outside of Mike being familiar w/ the Columbus twister, there are no other sources of video and/or documentation. Thank you for your help.

Dave

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

One of my chase partners has the entire video on their computer hard drive. Would it be a sin for them to post that on youtube considering its not their video? I am sure there are a lot of people who would like to see it.

 

[Simon Andersen]

Greg, is the video they have, a copy of the original scene as videotaped by the witness? Or is it a third-party piece done by a... third-party? (Lol, couldn't quite get this sentence right.) If it's the second, the only ones who can do anything is the third party, not crazy-pants farmer guy. And as I've heard, people just get a 24 hour notice to remove the content. Nothing further happens.

Also, there's something called "Fair Use", this is a significant record documenting a astounding event lol, so I suposse it would be OK to upload it.

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

We had a videotape copy of the tornado, I believe that came from a tv station. Its been so many years I don't remember the details. The video contains chaser video of the tornado and "soda can" meso. It then shows "crazy farmer" video including the incredible rope stage. It ends with another chaser's video of the rope stage from a distance. Aside from the poor video quality, this remains the most amazing vantage point ever filmed of a tornado....hands down. I couldn't imagine what it would look like in HD. I am working to get that video from my friend.

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

I just talked to Dave Crowley who has the video on his computer. He said it is broken up into 4 segments. He has never posted the video anywhere since he didn't shoot it, however if there is a demand for it from others he will put it up on youtube.

 

[Bob Hartig]

YES! Please! I've been hearing about the "Crazy Farmer" video for forever now, but all I've ever seen of it has been a few brief snippets. I know--because there was another thread on this same topic some time back--that there are plenty here besides me on ST who would love to see the film in its entirety.

 

[Tampa Dave]

That would be great if you could put on YouTube. The Columbus twister is an awesome, yet rare, video. I will be doing a presentation to students shortly & this would fit beautifully. Please do! Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[Tampa Dave]

I believe it was a local Columbus or Omaha cable company the created the video tape which included the famed "crazy farmer video". This tape also included video from other sources, chronicling this amazing tornado. This tornado is significant to me since my chase partner Jay Antle and I documented the roping stage of this tornado. Ohhh had we been there 15 minutes sooner... Everyone on ST has their story of their first tornado... Columbus, NE 23 June 1998 was mine. BTW, my chase partner Jay has a copy of that video tape... I don't know if he still has it or not. I don't even know if this tape is available anywhere anymore. -Mike U

Mike: would you happen to know the call letters of the station(s) that may have documented this? Maybe I can pursue it from them. Thx!

 

[Tampa Dave]

Greg, do you think your chase partner would share the tape of the Columbus twister? And to think that was your very first tornado...what a beast! I can't imagine what it looked like when only 1/4 mile away & heading right towards you. When you witnessed this, was it loud? Also, the hail that supercell put down was incredible. Thanks for trying.

Dave Cravatta
Tampa, FL

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

Let me clarify....I did not see the Columbus tornado. Dave just happened to get a copy of the video from someone else several yers back. If I could pick one tornado to have witnessed, this one would be my number one pick, hands down.

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

Hopefully Dave will get the video up this weekend.