‘More will die': The ethics of up-close tornado chasing

[joel ewing]

What many of us are overlooking are the dangers "idiotic" behavior poses to others. Irresponsible behavior is also hazardous for non-chasers who are on public roads, including families fleeing storms. I know a lot of hard core chasers don't care. This has to be the most self-serving and selfish attitude you can imagine. Then there are the first responders. Most are not severe weather experts. They go where they are needed. I've seen them drive right through destructive hail and into storms with serious rotation. Do you really want to be the chaser who does something stupid and the responders coming to assist you are killed? This is just common sense.

This the underlying problem with chasing right now. It's all about "me."

Warren...I ask this of you with total respect. Knowing how strongly you feel about this.....what would you like to see done about it? Is there truly a solution, that if implemented....would rectify this situation to your satisfaction, once and for all??

 

[Warren Faidley]

I remind everyone that a 4th individual, an amateur chaser, was killed during the El Reno event while trying to photograph the tornado. I'm sure those EMS workers and LEO could have been used somewhere else. I'm assuming his life means nothing and he cannot be added to the conversation or used as a statistic. I'm sure his family and friends would disagree. We don't know, and may never know, how many people are killed / injured in cars and in residences because they delayed taking life-saving action to "witness" or photograph a storm / tornado. This information in generally not included in EMS or police reports unless it's obvious.

I guess we can also ignore the reality of increasing complains or discussions from LEO, the media, chasers and others regarding this and / or similar chasing issues. These complaints don't really exist in the chasing world and these people are all kooks?

My advice? Chase how ever you want. Close, far, armchair or whatever. Just don't endanger others and accept the possibility you might be killed or disabled. Accept responsibility that others will complain. I for one will get as close as I can, depending on overall safety, the tornado and the debris.

As for Joel's question. There is nothing that can be done now. Enjoy the show! This is the way chasing has evolved, into the "sport" Dave Hoadley feared over 20 years ago.

Just ignore it, it will go away.

 

[Paul Hadfield]

Meanwhile... thousands of people will continue to safely engage countless thunderstorm events around the globe annually without incident.

 

[John Farley]

I have come to this thread late, but I do want to comment on the skiing material Dan posted earlier. Being both a skier and a storm chaser, I can assure you that there are similar debates going on within the skiing community. Deaths from avalanches and ski accidents, particularly in the backcountry, have soared in recent years, and many in the skiing community have blamed the proliferation of extreme skiing and so-called "big mountain" skiing (doing things like jumping cliffs in remote, unpatrolled areas) videos and movies as a contributing factor. The arguments are strikingly similar to the ones we have in chasing - i.e. do these videos and movies encourage novices who do not know what they are doing to get in over their heads? And others in the skiing and snowboarding communities are just as adamant in saying that everyone is responsible for their own behavior and that if people want to fly off 20 or 30 foot cliffs with trees in the landing area 30+ miles from the nearest help, that is their right. Being older than most chasers and a lot of skiers (66) is perhaps one reason I tend toward a more cautious approach in both activities. Yes, my video from Dodge City is not as compelling as that of some of you who got up close and personal, and I will probably never brag about having skied Corbett's Couloir, but I will live to ski and chase another day. (Like this month, in which I have done both!)

 

[JamesCaruso]

... It is exceptionally difficult to get close. You have to nail your forecast, nail your chase execution, be exceptionally in tune with storm motion & RFD strength/behavior, then be at that exact place a few hundred feet across where the tornado's path and the road intersect. Novices cannot do all of that unless it happens to them by sheer chance. By the time they've learned enough to get themselves in that position, they aren't novices any longer...

Seems to be an attitude that it's so "easy" to chase and get close because of technology. I reject that notion. I've been chasing for 20 years now (albeit just for one or two week chase vacations each year) and it still seems like a monumental challenge to me - unless I just suck at it, which is a distinct possibility ;-) But seriously, just look at Dan's list of everything that has to be accomplished - and adding to that, you also have to be fortunate enough that there is a road the tornado is going to cross and a road network that allows you to get there.

I also agree that the character of the tornado and the parent supercell (e.g., HP vs classic) is a key variable. There is a huge difference in the calculated risk I would feel comfortable taking with a Campo vs an El Reno.

 

[STEPHENWILSON]

In recent years technology has increased to the point where, it is not necessary to get as close for the perfect shot. I have equipment that lets me photograph from a safe distance. On the other hand you have some people who drive crazy, get too close and if it continues at this rate i think there will be more fatalities. These are the people that the cops use as a representation of the rest of the community. We all know that isn't the case. By doing so, setting up road blocks with out a small bit of weather training is going to lead to more problems. Just my thoughts.