Reconciling Your Joy with Others' Suffering

[Stephen Levine]

How do you reconcile two very powerful feelings that many of us go through as storm chasers? We have just witnessed one of the most magnificent storms or perhaps even the most magnificent storm that we have ever seen.
A feeling of deep fulfillment and the success of the hunt fills the heart.
Yet this very storm or weather event also may have torn other people's lives asunder.

Do feelings of dissonence and malaise arise within you to cancel out your joy? How do you reconcile such opposing feelings?
I have never had the experience that some of you for instance had during the May Oklahoma tornado outbreak a few years ago, where after savoring a twist fest, you came upon homes and lives destroyed. (the tornadoes I have seen all took place in open country)
Yet I did experience Ike in a safe place inland from the Coast. What a joy it was, yet the tales of suffering also got to me.

Back in the mid 1970's when interviewd by a major radio station in Cincinnati about a storm obervers network that I created there, the interviewer asked me to reconcile my love of storms with the destruction that they cause.
I replied that more than 50,000 people die or are maimed in auto crashes each year on America, far more than by storms. Cars are worshipped in many parts of our society for their beauty. Nobody focuses on the damage that they could cause. Therefore one may look at storm the same way.

How do you handle this issue?

 

[Connor McCrorey]

I have never seen a tornado that has caused any severe destruction. The most damaging storm I have chased was the Stuttgart, Arkansas EF-3 this past May. I was unsure of the reaction we would get as chasers when we entered the town. I thought people would look down on us for the reasons you said, but it turned out many were glad to talk to us. One man was holding his daughter while he asked if he knew if his wife would be ok, as she was working a few towns north of Stuttgart and the phone lines had gone down. We gladly pulled up the radar and showed that the only thing she would have had to deal with was some strong wind. It really felt good to see the look of relief on his and his daughter's faces as they thanked us and walked away.

I haven't been chasing long enough to have to deal with anything big, but I guess I just realize that whether we chase or not, storms and tornadoes will happen, and lives will be destroyed. We can't help this, and we might as well enjoy the beauty and power of the storm while possible. Also, because many chasers submit reports and information to the NWS, it helps to know that we are doing everything we can to help and warn people.

 

[Adam Lucio]

The two worst storms I have seen were the Nappanne EF-3 on 10-18 of last year and 6-7 this year here near Chicago.

Every now and then I get asked the question. Indeed a feeling of helplessness and sorrow can overtake the initial joy of witnessing the storm when it leaves behind a trail of destruction.

I cope by helping out any way I can, even if it staying out of the way of the trained emergency responders who are called to the scene. I try to educate and help people better understand in hopes they can be better prepared, and of course, phoning in reports and getting the information out. Its all I can do as of now.

Perhaps this is a little dark, but I also understand that this is mother nature at work. People have access to the warnings, watches and information and its up to them to act in the proper manner to protect life and property. If a person is staring out the window instead of seeking proper shelter, I cant feel too much sorrow, its a shame yes, and I feel for the family who survive and have to suffer the loss of a loved one, but thats about it.

I just have to tell myself that life rolls on. Bad things happen and were powerless to totally stop it. Its the world we live in.

 

[Jason Foster]

a matter of context

I understand where your coming from. For me, it's two totally seperate things. I'm loving the storm, the tornado, and magnificance of mother nature. It is impressive to see such power. The contrast of colors, the uniqueness of each storm. These are the things I get excited about and don't apologize or feel bad in celebrating those experiences.

Of course it also should be mentioned that every chaser needs to keep in mind when talking to locals about certains storms, or bragging about some of the chases. Not every person out there has the same admiration for tornadoes. That family that lost their home last year doesn't see a tornado as "awesume". So just a reminder to be consious of locals and others who may not be so excited about severe weather events.

 

[mike scantlin]

Storms are going to kill people whether or not we are watching it. Sure, we like to see tornadoes and hate bust days, but none of us really want to see death and destruction, and even if there are those that do, wanting to see it wouldn't change the fact that it's happening or isn't happening. What's important is we take time away from shooting pics and video to call in reports and save lives, and that is what its ultimately about.

When you come upon major damage, you pretty much lose all selfish thoughts about the storms or chasing. When the shock hits you, it puts you in the zone. The only thought running through your head is "what can I do to help" and hopefully you make the right decision. Sometimes local emergency and fire crews can handle it and you need to stay out of the way. More often than not, we are the first on the scene. Sometimes they do need all the help they can get.

Not going into Greensburg that night is one of my biggest regrets. I wake up everyday and ask myself what I was thinking. I'm just glad that when I had a chance to make up for it, things worked out alright.

 

[Richard Dickson]

I don’t want to sound cold about anyone’s misfortune, but it is necessary to keep the situation in perspective. We all know that events are going to happen that will cause pain, suffering or death to individuals in practically any endeavor that man undertakes.

To me, the key is the answer to two questions. First, did any action of mine cause this event to happen? Secondly, was there anything in my power that I could have done to prevent this from happening? If the answer to both is no, then I can accept it with a clear conscience and witness the event for what there is to see and learn. As was pointed out in a previous post, compassion in interacting with others involved is mandatory in these situations.

 

[Dan Robinson]

As others have said, the bottom line is that tornadoes are going to happen whether we are there or not, whether we are hoping for them or not.

I believe that our interests and passions in life are God-given with a purpose. If it weren't for people who had a passion for tornadoes (or any natural disaster), would we have all of the data and knowledge that we have today, and any hope of learning more?

If I'm going to be called a disaster junkie, I'm not ashamed of it. It's our kind who are largely responsible in the advances in discovery and ultimately the betterment of knowledge of the phenomena we pursue.

Sure, the excitement during someone's home being destroyed may be a little out of place, and I don't condone it. But people should be willing to live with that in light of what the existence of 'disaster aficionados' have accomplished for the benefit of society. Maybe the reason they got out alive when their house was hit was because a chaser called the warning in due to the advances in detection and identification from other 'pro-tornado' scientists.

In my opinion, I think the burden of proof falls on the critics to show how people with an interest in severe storms, in aggregate, have had a net negative impact on society.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I came in to Storm Lake the day after the Boy Scouts were killed in Bledcoe IA, and walked into the bank. But let me back up a bit first...

I was in Moville IA when they were killed; some 40 miles due N. As I drove back in Buena Vista County from Cherokee Co; I saw a funnel cloud over Storm Lake, and a couple of tornado-warned storms coming twards Alta IA on my GR3/laptop. That evening in Alta, the County EM asked me to be the official storm spotter for the county - since he had just heard of th Boy Scout deaths - and needed someone fast to stay responsible to the county. So I did my new found duty straight away; but nothing happened that night.
I had come a long way in a short time by learning all I could on my own and what I had gathered from STORMTRACK. I thank God that he gave me the responsibility and the opportunity. Responsibility comes in many forms with this volunteer job; public relations is one of them.

Back to the bank...
I was talking to one of the tellers in the bank while making a withdrawl, and she asked me if I was the new storm tracker for the county.
News travels fast in small towns; I'm sure that some of you know this.
I said "Yes, and there were some awesome storms yesterday that I observed and took pictures of; I caught a funnel cloud in Moville that nearly came down on my head".
I was exuberant and glib about it all - when one of the tellers from behind the counter came over to me and dropped the bomb.
"My son was one of the Boy Scouts in that camp; I find nothing about it that is either awesome or great"; she said - almost choking.
Didn't I feel like the biggest heel in the world at that moment. I could have looked an ant in the knees and still have to look up.

Not everyone appreciates the spotter or chaser - not when they are personally involved in tragedy.
You just never know who you are talking to - or who may be listening.
I think that some people have more respect for the undertaker than they do storm spotters; I guess that living in the Plains fosters this emotion.
You know what to expect from the undertaker; but you know by the presence of the storm tracker in town - that there is trouble and uncertainty in your future.

A few days later, there was a tube that moved thru Royal IA twards Spencer IA (about 30 mi or so N of Storm Lake); it destroyed a lot of buildings and trees just along Hwy 71 on one person's property. I talked to the owner and asked if I could take some pictures and learn from her experience as a new storm spotter for BV Co; she said that would be fine. I noticed some stares and jeers from some of the neighbors that were there to help with the clean-up. I asked her if she had ever heard of the Pomeroy Cyclone of 1893. She said she hadn't. I explained to her and those around who had tuned in to the conversation that it was one of the largest tornado devastation in Iowa's history. I told her that our barn was destroyed, a farm hand of ours was killed, my great-grandad was almost killed, and that tornado killed some seventy people on that fateful day. Everybody there stopped and listened to the story; some old timers thought I was all right with them. Instead of being a lookie-lou; I was one of them that understood their tragedy all too well.

Is storm chasing a 'joy' of the hunt? Or is it helping those find understanding and encouragement when much seems lost. Or is it a helping hand when one needs it most? I think that it is all of those things. And more...

 

[Sarah Austin]

I would have to say the worst storm I witnessed was in Greensburg, KS. The EF-5 tornado affected many lives that night. There was so much chaos. I was in shock for probably a month. While the first glimpse of the tornado was a thrill, remorse quickly followed when we saw where it was headed. All we could do was to pray. After it all happened, since none of us had any emergency training, we did our best to remove some debris from the road so EMS vehicles could get through.

When events happen such as in Greensburg, it is a historical moment. Of course I don't want any fatalities or buildings destroyed. However, I do want to document what happened from where I was at that moment. I think it's good to have some record of the event to determine other factors. How many other tornadoes and satellite tornadoes did this storm produce? Was this EF-5 tornado actually two tornadoes instead of just one? Perhaps some video clips might aid in research or provide verification.

What helped me most in dealing with that event was talking with friends and family. There was nothing I could have done to prevent it. I was thankful the warning system did not fail. We are the eyes to help get the warnings out more quickly in some cases. What we do as chasers definately can be quite helpful.

 

[Shane Adams]

I never want to see destruction or death, but I don't dwell on it either. The world is full of heartbreak, and it does no good to get depressed over every headline. I figured out long ago I can't save the world.

I love storms for the storms, period. I never even think about the destruction they are capable of unless I see a tornado hitting a town, which fortunately for me has been a rare occurrence. I take measures to avoid this aspect, like on May 3 when we purposely broke off the F5 to take Storm B further west, knowing the destruction we'd come upon if we stayed with it. The lone exception was the Mulvane tornado, and we were *****ed at for our trouble by first responders.

A guy asked me the other day if I was into seeing houses destroyed and the like after he found out I was a chaser (through a friend of mine, I never bring it up in the presence of muggles), and I just looked at him and said "It's not like that dude."

Muggles just do not get it.

 

[Jason Foster]

......I was talking to one of the tellers in the bank while making a withdrawl, and she asked me if I was the new storm tracker for the county. News travels fast in small towns; I'm sure that some of you know this. I said "Yes, and there were some awesome storms yesterday that I observed and took pictures of; I caught a funnel cloud in Moville that nearly came down on my head". I was exuberant and glib about it all - when one of the tellers from behind the counter came over to me and dropped the bomb. "My son was one of the Boy Scouts in that camp; I find nothing about it that is either awesome or great"; she said - almost choking.
Didn't I feel like the biggest heel in the world at that moment. I could have looked an ant in the knees and still have to look up. ...

This is exactly my point in my earlier post. I want to again remind people to be conscious of what you say and do. Be respectful of people. This really falls under the "standard ethics of chasing". Additionally, because I've seen it a few time to many.....while recording a tornado destroy a house on video, please don't yell out things on the video like "that was awesome", or if you do, please refrain from making it public. Don't allow those clips on YouTube and the like. Or at the very least, edit over the audio. We certainly don't need the public thinking we actually enjoy death and destruction.

Rob, thanks for sharing...I'm sure you certainly are more careful after that conversation.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Storms are going to kill people whether or not we are watching it. Sure, we like to see tornadoes and hate bust days, but none of us really want to see death and destruction, and even if there are those that do, wanting to see it wouldn't change the fact that it's happening or isn't happening. What's important is we take time away from shooting pics and video to call in reports and save lives, and that is what its ultimately about.

When you come upon major damage, you pretty much lose all selfish thoughts about the storms or chasing. When the shock hits you, it puts you in the zone. The only thought running through your head is "what can I do to help" and hopefully you make the right decision. Sometimes local emergency and fire crews can handle it and you need to stay out of the way. More often than not, we are the first on the scene. Sometimes they do need all the help they can get.

Not going into Greensburg that night is one of my biggest regrets. I wake up everyday and ask myself what I was thinking. I'm just glad that when I had a chance to make up for it, things worked out alright.

Mike, you really would not have wanted to be in Greensburg....it was a night of pure terror, thats all I can say about it. Dick M. knows exactly what I mean.

 

[Stephen Locke]

"In the valley of the endless spring one sits in silence watching the myriad forms of integration and disintegration". -Dogen

 

[Verne Carlson]

I too hope to see tornadoes that stay in open fields and away from populated areas. I try to make this clear to everyone that asks me about my storm chasing that I'm not in it to see stuff destroyed. I'd much rather see a beautiful back lit rope tossing haybales and nothing more. Mother nature is going to do her business regardless of whether there are people there or not. The best we can do is to be there to document it, learn from it, help out when we can and not add to the problem. This is one of the big reasons I got involved in the Storms of 20xx series - to try and help out in some small way with the video that we gather while we're out there.

 

[Dann Cianca]

My experience is very limited in this as I've seen one tornado ... and it did hit one structure. I was actually put into contact with the woman whose property was hit (Dorothy is her name, ironically) and we did talk for a while. The report we sent in convinced a disbelieving insurance agent about the storm and she received the claim on her barn ... which she had built herself.

I didn't see her barn get hit ... we saw the tube for the first time just afterward, but I do recall being pleased that it didn't look like it was going to hit anything.

On the other hand, destruction does sell videos ... For those of you who make money on your chasing, that has to be in the back of your mind somewhere (minus the casualty potential). It probably would be for me.