Disrespectful Storm Chasers

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Last night while chasing in Iowa we came across downed power lines and a house that had been significantly damaged by a tornado. We assisted the elderly homeowner with getting out of his damaged house and got him away from the house due to a gas leak and put him in our vehicle and checked to make sure he was ok (he just had a few cuts). We then tried to stop vehicles from coming down the road due to the downed power lines. However, one group of young chasers came down probably 20 minutes after we had evacuated the elderly man. They checked to make sure everyone was ok which we told them everyone was fine but that there was a gas leak and they should stay away from the house. They instead walked right up to the house and filmed/photographed the damage. I couldn't believe how disrespectful (ever heard of PRIVATE PROPERTY) and dumb these people were (I mean come on, there are downed powerlines, lightning all over the place and A GAS LEAK!)

I'm making this post hoping the people who did this will see this and know what they did was just plain wrong/stupid. I hope others will not do the same in the future. The homeowners was sitting in our vehicle and saw the strangers approach his house. He was obviously very shaken (he lived in this house 63 years). He didn't need to see some 'yahoos' messing around on his property in addition to what happened already.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Honestly, Thinking about what chasing has become the last few years, this is becoming the norm. At least they did check to make sure everyone was ok first. That's a plus.

 

[J Trueblood]

Can you describe the car? I might know who this was, and would be more than willing to send a reprimand his way.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

I fail to see how this is any different than what the media would do? They video tape and take pictures of storm damage all the time. I did it after the Murfreesboro 09 tornado.

It's not like they were rummaging around through his stuff helping themselves to the guy's belongings, they were documenting the damage and they have the right to do that. There's no law against it.

Sorry if that offends you in any way, but you should probably get over it.

 

[Danny Neal]

Oh boy, more drama. Since I was directly behind you last night I only assume you were directing this toward Adam and I. "Yahoos" I am sure. But that is beside the point. It is my job to run up there to check on safety of individuals and scene safety. Once I collaborated with public safety and the family of the elderly gentleman we took off. Unless I was not paying attention I didn't see one chaser from our group run up to the farm house and start snapping pictures. Why not come right out and say who you are fingering here. Siiiigh. Matt got some pics from behind the powerlines but nobody ran up there because I told them to keep away from the downed lines.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Oh boy, more drama. Since I was directly behind you last night I only assume you were directing this toward Adam and I. "Yahoos" I am sure. But that is beside the point. It is my job to run up there to check on safety of individuals and scene safety. Once I collaborated with public safety and the family of the elderly gentleman we took off. Unless I was not paying attention I didn't see one chaser from our group run up to the farm house and start snapping pictures. Why not come right out and say who you are fingering here. Siiiigh. Matt got some pics from behind the powerlines but nobody ran up there because I told them to keep away from the downed lines.

Nope, actually it wasn't you guys - we have no idea who it was. I should have clarified further - they went right up to the house and where sticking cameras, etc into the house to film the damage inside, etc (without the homeowners permission)

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

I fail to see how this is any different than what the media would do? They video tape and take pictures of storm damage all the time. I did it after the Murfreesboro 09 tornado.

It's not like they were rummaging around through his stuff helping themselves to the guy's belongings, they were documenting the damage and they have the right to do that. There's no law against it.

Sorry if that offends you in any way, but you should probably get over it.

I understand your point. However, I'd like to think of us 'chasers' as having more of a conscience then many media people do...

Can you describe the car? I might know who this was, and would be more than willing to send a reprimand his way

I think it was a dark blue impala - but it was dark out so not 100% sure. One person had a ChaserTV shirt on...

 

[rdale]

I fail to see how this is any different than what the media would do? They video tape and take pictures of storm damage all the time.

They don't do it on private property... Filming from the street is one thing - going on their property is another. And it's illegal.

 

[Danny Neal]

Nope, actually it wasn't you guys - we have no idea who it was. I should have clarified further - they went right up to the house and where sticking cameras, etc into the house to film the damage inside, etc (without the homeowners permission)

Okay, sorry for jumping the gun a little. It is unfortunate that some folks have to do that especially with downed wires and a known gas leak. While nothing about taking pictures in the road is illegal, it just a respect issue. I am glad the man was okay. I had my bunker gear and first aid kit all ready to go the second we came across the scene to sheet metal laying all over the road.

 

[J Trueblood]

Here is a picture that they posted on facebook.


Do you know if this was the house?


(I know how suspicious this looks. I assure you it wasn't me.)

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Here is a picture that they posted on facebook.

http://i.imgur.com/BRaaR.jpg

Do you know if this was the house?


(I know how suspicious this looks. I assure you it wasn't me.)

I guess I'm not sure, it could have been but I'd really only be able to tell by looking at the exterior

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

They don't do it on private property... Filming from the street is one thing - going on their property is another. And it's illegal.

well then I've seen the media break the law half a million times, because I've seen the walking through houses, rubble and yards/property with video camera's, and photographers doing the same thing. They may or may not have had permission, i dont know, but there's a bazillion videos out there on google, and youtube, and various other media sites showing the media doing it.

 

[J Trueblood]

Okay, here are a few more pictures, I want to protect their identity at least:


I included a picture they took of their car. I guess they got 'stuck' in a tornado and it sucked out their rear window.

 

[Keith Hosman]

They don't do it on private property... Filming from the street is one thing - going on their property is another. And it's illegal.

I have done a lot of damage assessment over the years, on behalf of both EMA and Red Cross, when taking photos of private property while ON private property we are required to get permission from the homeowner first. I alwauys instruct anyone working with me to stay strictly to the driveway/sidewalk unless permission is given by the owner to walk across the yard. It is common courtesy.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Okay, here are a few more pictures, I want to protect their identity at least:

http://imgur.com/a/5HVk1

I included a picture they took of their car. I guess they got 'stuck' in a tornado and it sucked out their rear window.

Ok, I 'think' that is the house....I'm going to show it to my Wife also as she has a better memory of these kinds of things then I do