Hurricane Chasing Tours?

[Jade Vajna]

Anyone know of any tours or veteran chasers that take people on hurricane chases? This is something I've wanted to do for the longest time, but I want to be smart about it and go with people who have experience and not just go alone or with a total random. Any info would be great! Thanks!

 

[Warren Faidley]

I've never heard of anyone doing it although I've had a lot of requests over the years. To get into the "genuine" action requires a very tactical and risky operation. Your best bet might be to find a very secure hotel (like where the media stays) and ride it out there if they will allow you. Just stay away from windows.

 

[Jade Vajna]

I've never heard of anyone doing it although I've had a lot of requests over the years. To get into the "genuine" action requires a very tactical and risky operation. Your best bet might be to find a very secure hotel (like where the media stays) and ride it out there if they will allow you. Just stay away from windows.

Thanks Warren! Yeah, I thought about doing that. I actually almost flew down to the Carolinas for Hurricane Matthew but when I phoned the hotel, they said that they would be evacuating the next day. I think that's my biggest concern, being kicked out of a hotel and then being stranded somewhere alone outside. I think I worry more about my personal safety with regards to other people than the storm itself. Things can get sketchy when there's no power, cell reception, etc.

 

[JamesCaruso]

That’s a mystery to me also, how you find a place that will allow you to stick around in a major hurricane. You have to be in place before they start closing down roads, and if you have to make a last minute positional adjustment and can’t find another place to stay, what then? I find the logistics of hurricane chasing to be quite vexing...

 

[Warren Faidley]

I have yet to cover a major hurricane (including Katrina along the Gulf) where there was not at least one coastal hotel that stayed open. Sometimes you can bribe the resident of a sturdy condo to let you stay. The secret is to have multiple inland "safe locations" in the event you get kicked out. Unfortunately, it's not always that simple. You also have to consider road closures (contra-flow, tunnels, ferry and bridge closures) and what you will do after the hurricane. I never stay at a location where a massive storm surge could strand me for days / weeks. It's much easier to chase a Cat-1 or Cat-2. Once you get above Cat-3, then there is a lot more planning, sometimes taking days in advance to scout out locations.

 

[Jade Vajna]

Yeah for Matthew, I had planned on staying at a hotel on Myrtle Beach as it came on shore as a Cat 1 or 2. I figured for my first time, it would be good to start with a lower Cat. But it ended up staying out to sea anyway, so it's good that I didn't go down.

 

[Bill Hark]

I guess you could contact some veteran hurricane chasers directly though I don't know if any of them would want someone tagging along. Some might need an extra person along to help with expenses or assist with photography and equipment. Unfortunately, a go or no go decision is often made at the last minute depending on landfall and schedule. I definitely would recommend going with someone experienced or with a group with some experience. Don't go by yourself for the first time. I've heard it can be a pretty miserable experience. I've seen some articles written on Facebook or Stormtrack detailing the fun and not so fun of hurricane chasing. I can give you some suggestions of people to contact if you want, contact me privately. I personally do not chase hurricanes other than look for tornadoes in the NE quad after landfall if close by home.

 

[Jade Vajna]

Thanks Bill! I have started talking to one person who can probably take me if they end up chasing one.. So I have one lead so far! But I will DM you for sure.

 

[Dan Robinson]

@Chris Collura posted a fairly thorough writeup on hurricane chasing in this thread: Hurricane Chasing

I can concur, a hurricane chase is a marathon of very little sleep and lots of discomfort. You're basically urban camping out of your car in a major disaster area for days, with no food, gas, cell service and more afterward. Heat and humidity after the storm is oppressive. The rain will soak you to the core and the inside of your car. You have to be completely self-sufficient from beginning to end with lots of extra food, water, fuel and tools to fix flat tires and other damage. Risks for damage and injury are very high compared to the average tornado chase. Vehicle damage is a near certainty even with a good shelter. Your cameras will be at risk as it is almost impossible to keep anything dry.

Steel-reinforced concrete parking structures with at least 2 levels are usually the only real option to keep both you and your vehicle intact from flooding and debris. Without a parking structure available, I won't intercept a major hurricane - mainly because I want to have a car to drive home afterward!

All that being said, being in the eyewall of a major hurricane is one of the most amazing experiences I've had, it has certainly been worth the effort and discomfort.

 

[Jade Vajna]

Yup! I'm aware of all of those things.. Which is why I don't want to go alone. I have said for years now that hurricane chasing sounds like camping during the zombie apocalypse. I've watched a lot of videos and I've chatted a lot with George Kourounis, who's been in lots of them.. And yeah.. A concrete parking garage seems to be the place to be.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Hurricane chasing is on my bucket list. Growing up on Long Island, hurricanes were actually the catalyst for my interest in weather, before I got into tornados. I would always go down to the beach when a hurricane brushed by the coast, and still do, making the short drive from PA to the Jersey shore. But I never actually traveled anywhere to chase a landfall. As I mentioned above, the logistics seem daunting to me. Being able to stay at a hotel without being forced to evacuate can’t be easy. I agree with Dan that concrete parking garages are ideal, but how many shore towns have those? The combination of a landfalling hurricane during daylight hours in a place with suitable structures seems to be rare indeed. Seems like it could take decades to find that peak experience, but I salute those who have been fortunate enough and put in the hard work to have done it.

 

[TJKLECKNER]

Harvey's impact: Snakes and other threats may lurk in floodwaters

 

[James K]

Seeing a major hurricane is something I too would absolutely love to do....in particular the eyewall, and inside the eye.
But what I'd truly want isn't really do-able (unless one had access to a helicopter or something): Get in, watch the storm, get out ..I really have no interest in seeing the devastation/destruction afterwards.
------------

@Chris Collura posted a fairly thorough writeup on hurricane chasing in this thread: Hurricane Chasing

This was certainly a good read.

 

[Jason Foster]

Not speaking to a specific request but I have previously evaluated such. Not really feasible for cane tours the way tornado tours are done.

That said, high dollar, very flexible schedule individuals may be willing to pay. But then the liability question comes into play. Look at how many chasers had close calls during Micheal. That is an outlier but in terms of a practical review it serves as a valued aspect to be considered.

Like Warren I have had many offers and requests but in the end no one committed due to time or money. It is hard enough to keep a chase partner happy nevertheless a paying client

 

[Jason Foster]

Steel-reinforced concrete parking structures with at least 2 levels are usually the only real option to keep both you and your vehicle intact from flooding and debris.

I’ll have to find a thread to discuss rhis further (or start a new one). There is a huge risk with garages that most are over looking.