Storm chasers drove into a tornado on purpose

[John Farley]

If you are just having fun and obeying the rules, nothing will change.

I am not so sure that is true. For example, if LEO sets up roadblocks, we are impacted even if we are obeying the rules. And the more negative LEO and public opinions of storm chasers become, the more likely things like that are to happen.

 

[Jesse Risley]

Why does public opinion of storm chasers matter? If we "look bad" to the public, does that mean we can't chase anymore? I don't see anything changing based on what some people might think. Shoot, half the people I tell that I chase storms already think I'm nuts, and I've never been closer than a mile or so.

I worry more about harassment from LEOs than anything else, because it is essential to be able to use public right-of-ways to chase, but being on the receiving end of captious citations simply because you happen to be a chaser can be financially taxing. The problem, as others alluded to, is nitpicking for minor violations just to prove a point, when non-chasers would probably never even be targeted for these infractions (e.g., speeding a few miles over the posted limit, not signaling exactly X number of feet before turns, stopping slightly over the stop line, having a tire cross a center line when making a turn, etc.). It's essentially legal profiling, because while you are technically breaking a traffic law, they are selective enforcing those traffic codes against chasers to make a financially retaliatory statement. I received a citation for driving 35 mph in a 30 mph zone, and I'm pretty sure it was related to being a chaser, because he made some remarks about chasers and I was extremely polite and cooperative. Some other chasers have reportedly had citations for having video equipment in their dash or having open laptops while the vehicle is on the road. Obviously this is all anecdotal, because others, including myself, have also had very positive interactions with law enforcement over the years too.

Roadblocks have already happened, but I'm not so sure that's punitive against chasers as much as it is in the interest of public safety. Pretty much as long as I have been chasing on the Plains I've encountered roadblocks, especially in Kansas, so that's not exactly a phenomena born out of the last 4-5 years of Youtube driving antics caught on camera. There was a discussion posted from one of the law enforcement equivalents to Stormtrack several years back and it was pretty damning.

 

[Marshall Stoner]

Am I the only one that saw that video and thought, "cool," and then just moved on with my life?

It isn't even that interesting. It looks like they got hit with a sub-EF0 whirl. Of course, it isn't like that tornado couldn't have suddenly spun up a much stronger suction vortex right overhead. I wonder if their car actually got blown off the road they would still post it on youtube. Probably. They'd be even more famous. Everyone should admit they'd probably watch it.

 

[Brian Brachel]

If this stuff keeps happening, insurance companies will require chasers be Certified and not by a simple Skywarn class. Also, if you chase, you'll be required to carry special insurance! I think the chasing community NEEDS to police itself, so the irresponsibles are somehow called out. Just my opinion.


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[Jamie G Cox]

Pretty stupid. They claim to see debris, yet drive straight into it. If they could see debris, what makes them think it won't fly through the windshield and kill them. Or a host of other deadly problems could have occurred. Pretty irresponsible considering it wasn't just one person putting his life on the line. He was tempting fate with other people's lives in his hand on a split second decision he made.

I also wonder how insurance companies know that people are using their insured car for storm chasing purposes. If you don't tell them, how do they find out? How can an insurance company claim that a car was damaged while intentionally getting in the path of storms, versus getting caught in one while doing something else?

 

[Brian Brachel]

It's like anything else. If you have an accident while chasing the police will request Certificate. The insurance company will find out. They always get a copy of the police report before paying a claim. As soon as the insurance companies figure they are loosing money, you can bet it will become a requirement. Just ask an attorney! Anyway to milk a buck.


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[Shane Adams]

They do that shit because they can. Fish finder technology points you right to the tornado, and then you just drive into it. Before all the gizmos that drag chasers' asses to the tornado, nobody did this. Not because they didn't want to, but because they couldn't find a tornado in a barrel. Tech is like money - it makes those who lack ability relevant.

 

[James Hilger]

I've asked. If it's not a business, nothing they can do. At the moment. They are somewhat treating it as a business, so some valid points.

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[rdale]

It's like anything else. If you have an accident while chasing the police will request Certificate. The insurance company will find out. They always get a copy of the police report before paying a claim. As soon as the insurance companies figure they are loosing money, you can bet it will become a requirement. Just ask an attorney! Anyway to milk a buck.


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Sorry - that's just conspiracy talk... There won't be any "spotter certification requirements" from any organization.

 

[Chris Kerby]

Well I guess the fame part worked because I had never heard of Burt Cornstalk before this.

 

[Matt Hunt]

I think we've already beat this dead horse enough. Every year the subject of regulations and increased enforcement from LEO's comes up, but the number of chasers actually ticketed vs. the total chasers and total storm days is minuscule. This is nothing more than speculation that's never likely to come to fruition. There are many chases where I never even see an LEO.

As far as sponsorships, well I'm sure some companies won't like it, but others will love it. Look at what sells and what goes viral these days. Not just in chasing, but in anything.

And if I owned a rental car company I wouldn't want to rent to chasers, or at the very least cover their hail damage. Because, duh! That one should be a no-brainer. Can't even be mad about that.

That being said, I do just chase for fun. I'm not out there for money or fame, or anything else other than to witness and enjoy the beauty and power of Mother Nature. And I follow all the laws, aside from the speed limit, but I don't follow that in normal every day driving anyway, so that's no different.

 

[Justin Hassie]

When you rent a vehicle, your own auto insurance is primary, even if you buy their damage waiver. All the waiver does is pays your deductible. Your insurance will end up paying for the damage to the rental whether it be hail, wind, or collision. The only way they can possibly deny the claim is if you're operating as a representative of a company (TWC, local news, etc.), and even then it's difficult. Most likely if they find out you use the vehicle for chasing they'll re-evaluate their risk and raise your rates or drop you when your policy runs out. I work for a major auto insurer for my day job, over 10 years.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

Well I guess the fame part worked because I had never heard of Burt Cornstalk before this.

Well considering he was a mod on this forum for a couple years, I guess you must live under a rock.

When you rent a vehicle, your own auto insurance is primary, even if you buy their damage waiver.

Not true. The Loss Damage Waiver becomes primary and you don't even need auto insurance at that point - That's why its so expensive.

 

[Raymond Mason]

You know, this brings back memories of a guy called "Whirlpool Hit man"

He posted videos of him swimming in ocean whirlpools while recording the whole thing. I thought what he was doing was insanely dangerous, and it was. Then five videos later, he stopped posting and later found out a whirlpool that he was swimming in ended up sucking him down.

You could have one or even two weak tornadoes where you can "get away" with this. However, I learned from whirlpool hit man that mother nature does not mess around and she doesn't care who gets in the way. Even with a tornado intercept vehicle, whirl pool hit man scared me from attempting to do anything like that and i hope it teaches others about dangerously close encounters. (like in the video)

 

[Justin Hassie]

Not true. The Loss Damage Waiver becomes primary and you don't even need auto insurance at that point - That's why its so expensive.

No disrespect, but that is not correct. Your own insurance is always always always primary. I've handled the claims myself many many times and had to explain this many many times. The reason it's so expensive is IF you don't have any insurance, it will cover the rental vehicle. They don't explain this when you rent, and more often than not the rental company employees at the rental counter don't have a clue on how the claims are handled or how insurance works. They will tell you that your insurance isn't affected but when it gets to the claims office, it's a different story. It's fine if you don't believe me, but again, I'm speaking from over 10 years of claims handling experience.

Edit: I will say that most of the rental claims I have seen are from Enterprise and Hertz. Other rental companies may have different rules associated with their waivers. Also, technically the damage waiver isn't insurance, and it doesn't cover everything your own auto insurance covers. For example, most damage waivers don't cover animal impacts. The waiver is just them agreeing not to pursue the renter directly should the vehicle be damaged. Again, there are many exclusions. Read the contract carefully if you decide to get it. I never buy them.