David Drummond
Member
Just a little food for thought...
http://wx5tvs.com/blog/2007/09/29/the-side-effects-of-harmless-storms/
http://wx5tvs.com/blog/2007/09/29/the-side-effects-of-harmless-storms/
The Side Effects of "Harmless" Tornadoes
- Thread starter David Drummond
- Start date
Shane Adams
I think a lot of chasers are aware of this aspect. Case in point, Amos Magliocco had the where-with-all during his very first videotaped tornado to verbally acknowledge his concern for any possible fields being damaged (can be heard on the May 6, 2001 segment on his DVD). I know I think about it too.
However, I can't dwell on this. There's already enough reasons being tossed out for chasers to feel guilty about. I don't want anything, anyone, whatever, to be hurt, damaged, or whatever. I can't control the weather, and I'm not going to apologize for my passion for tornadoes.
However, I can't dwell on this. There's already enough reasons being tossed out for chasers to feel guilty about. I don't want anything, anyone, whatever, to be hurt, damaged, or whatever. I can't control the weather, and I'm not going to apologize for my passion for tornadoes.
David Drummond
Member
Well, I live out here in the midst of all the farms, and have all my life. The weather, and any damage it does makes or breaks the economy that year for virtually every community surrounded by farmland. It has very real and serious consequences for MONTHS for those farmers, and the nearby communities if the damage is bad enough.
I don't feel guilty for enjoying chasing those storms, but this is something that is very rarely every talked about among chasers, thus the reason I wrote about it. I think as a whole, we don't often really think about all the hard work those farmers went to, to have that crop in the first place. All the hard work and money that will be spent in the coming days fixing those irrigation systems that we see turned over all the time.
I don't think any chaser should feel guilty about enjoying watching mother nature do what she does whether we are there or not, but I don't think it hurts us any to have some compassion and thought about those that are left to deal with the effects after we have all gone home.
I don't feel guilty for enjoying chasing those storms, but this is something that is very rarely every talked about among chasers, thus the reason I wrote about it. I think as a whole, we don't often really think about all the hard work those farmers went to, to have that crop in the first place. All the hard work and money that will be spent in the coming days fixing those irrigation systems that we see turned over all the time.
I don't think any chaser should feel guilty about enjoying watching mother nature do what she does whether we are there or not, but I don't think it hurts us any to have some compassion and thought about those that are left to deal with the effects after we have all gone home.
Shane Adams
I see your point and agree. I don't really wear my emotions on my sleeve when it comes to things like death and compassion. Not that I don't have feelings, I just choose not to dwell on the negative. I may not mention it, but I do think about the consequences of the weather I chase. In fact this thread just reminded me of a chase back in 2002, the year of the cap.
We were sitting on the side of the road, baking like we had all that Spring, watching the thermonuclear cap win the battle. I had been whining about what a crappy year it had been, when a farmer (who just happened to own the land next to where we were parked) wandered up. He asked us if we were having trouble, and when we replied that we were chasing storms, he offered to let us park further off the road onto his property (because it was safer). He asked about the weather and I of course replied about how it didn't look good and how we had a long drive back home. He simply replied "I hope we get some rain, we really need it around here." Then he said his goodbye and went on his way.
I sat there and, for a moment, was able to see beyond my own selfishness and realize this guy's entire year was banking on the weather. Since that day I've always kept that in mind.
We were sitting on the side of the road, baking like we had all that Spring, watching the thermonuclear cap win the battle. I had been whining about what a crappy year it had been, when a farmer (who just happened to own the land next to where we were parked) wandered up. He asked us if we were having trouble, and when we replied that we were chasing storms, he offered to let us park further off the road onto his property (because it was safer). He asked about the weather and I of course replied about how it didn't look good and how we had a long drive back home. He simply replied "I hope we get some rain, we really need it around here." Then he said his goodbye and went on his way.
I sat there and, for a moment, was able to see beyond my own selfishness and realize this guy's entire year was banking on the weather. Since that day I've always kept that in mind.
Craig Maire II
Well from what I know, most tornados are not the half mile to over mile wide beasts that could really do some damage to a farmers field? I also think that many of them are subsidized by the government (even when many don't need to be, watched a special about that on TV not to long ago) and also, most of them have insurance that helps ease the pain inflicted by weather, insects etc. I think a much greater worry to farmers would be from straight line wind and hail events. Here in Iowa I've seen alot of damage from those severe weather phenomena this year. I think when most chasers call a tornado out in the field "harmless" they are talking about how great it is to see a tornado out in the country tearing up wheat and corn and not killing people, destroying towns etc.
David Drummond
Member
That little storm I wrote about Craig, a measly little landspout, and the hail that came along with that storm, did over a million dollars in damage. Nickle sized hail, not chaser beating baseballs. It's not just the tornado. Even a non-tornadic HP storm can be extremely devastating.
Money aside, image if you had worked months on end, sun up to sun down on something, to have it all wiped out in less than an hour. For instance, lets say something catastrophic happened to your storm video/pictures collection. Even if you had insurance, I bet you would feel pretty defeated about it.
In relation to the story I wrote about, the one farmer who had his last field taken out this year. The rest of the area is currently set to have the 3rd or 4th largest harvest on record. While all of his friends and neighbors are experiencing a bounty, his last field was taken out. Talk about getting kicked while your down.
I know for those that don't live in or near farm communities probably really don't understand the full impact of it all. Those government subsidies aren't all you think they are cracked up to be. And this year, because of the earlier rains, some of them had to plant past the date of being able to be insured.
Thinking about it though...assuming no injuries or fatalities, is it really better to lose a few $200k houses, or a million dollar crop? Not to mention some seriously expensive farm machinery that would buy a dozen or more fully equipped chase vehicles.
Money aside, image if you had worked months on end, sun up to sun down on something, to have it all wiped out in less than an hour. For instance, lets say something catastrophic happened to your storm video/pictures collection. Even if you had insurance, I bet you would feel pretty defeated about it.
In relation to the story I wrote about, the one farmer who had his last field taken out this year. The rest of the area is currently set to have the 3rd or 4th largest harvest on record. While all of his friends and neighbors are experiencing a bounty, his last field was taken out. Talk about getting kicked while your down.
I know for those that don't live in or near farm communities probably really don't understand the full impact of it all. Those government subsidies aren't all you think they are cracked up to be. And this year, because of the earlier rains, some of them had to plant past the date of being able to be insured.
Thinking about it though...assuming no injuries or fatalities, is it really better to lose a few $200k houses, or a million dollar crop? Not to mention some seriously expensive farm machinery that would buy a dozen or more fully equipped chase vehicles.
Craig Maire II
Did lose almost all my videos this year (thank god not my pics) when my laptop was broken in an accident, I do have most of the videos saved on theyre original tapes etc. but it still hurt alot, (caused me major head aches and I still will have to pay big $$ to retrieve some footage from 05/22/07 and 05/23/07 that was only saved on the laptop's broken hard drive, retrieval cost 1900$!!
)so I do understand what you are saying David and will definitely look at a tornado out in the field a little differently now.
)so I do understand what you are saying David and will definitely look at a tornado out in the field a little differently now.Shane Adams
Life is full of risks, period. People make their choices and they deal with whatever comes about.
Scott Weberpal
EF5
Government subsidies cover very little when it comes to crop damage. Growing up on a farm and harvesting close to 1000 acres of corn and soybeans, the difference between a dry year and an average to wet year could be tens of thousands of dollars. Today, with the high cost of operating equipment and the prices on commodoties such as corn and soybeans, many smaller farms can't afford crop insurance.
For example, to insure one of our 435 acre corn fields last year against total loss (this loss can occur by any natural phenomena), it cost a little over $11,000 for the growing season (April-October). Typically farmers only insure for 65% loss as most weather phenomena won't completely destroy an entire crop.
I don't have a complete understand as to how gov't subisidies work with crop insurance, but I know they don't do a lot.
For example, to insure one of our 435 acre corn fields last year against total loss (this loss can occur by any natural phenomena), it cost a little over $11,000 for the growing season (April-October). Typically farmers only insure for 65% loss as most weather phenomena won't completely destroy an entire crop.
I don't have a complete understand as to how gov't subisidies work with crop insurance, but I know they don't do a lot.
Dan Robinson
Life is full of risks. In a capatalistic society where we can choose our professions, I'm sure farmers on the Plains fully know and accept the risks that severe weather present to their crops if they choose to make the investment and undertake the work. Hail and tornadoes are inevitable on the Plains, and crop damage for any one farm is not a matter of 'if' but 'when'.
Every business, even the ones we all work for, carries risks from different origins but of similar impact. Whether we are there or not to witness them is unfortunately inconsequential.
Every business, even the ones we all work for, carries risks from different origins but of similar impact. Whether we are there or not to witness them is unfortunately inconsequential.
rdale
EF5
"Fortunately, there were no injuries or structure damage, but the impacts were just as great."
I disagree... I think the impacts would be much greater had people been hurt. Insurance can replace crops or structures, but not a human.
I disagree... I think the impacts would be much greater had people been hurt. Insurance can replace crops or structures, but not a human.
joel ewing
EF5
My late father's earliest memory, he told me once, was standing on the porch of their Boone Co. Nebraska's farm, the entire family watching hopefully and fervently as rain came towards them. This was in the early 30's...the dust bowl era. Just as the rain got to their farm, the wind shifted...taking the rain off into a different direction. He remembered his mom breaking down and crying...while grandpa put his arm around her.
I'll never feel guilty for watching mother nature do her thing. And I can swear on a stack of bibles that I have quietly prayed for a tornado NOT to come down...when it seemed immenant...that it would destroy homes below. And at the time....nobody would have liked to seen a tornado more than me...it had been so long since I had seen one.
With respect to this subject, I personally have the mindset that I hope I don't see anybody get killed, hurt, or their hard-earned property wiped out. But like I said previously...nature is gonna do what nature is gonna do. That being said....I KNOW that when I'm under tornadic cells....I should be responsible enough to contact the local NWS office and report the EARLIEST signs of tornadic development. I can't stop tornadoes from doing their damage...but I CAN potentially mitigate the level of pain that might happen.
I'll never feel guilty for watching mother nature do her thing. And I can swear on a stack of bibles that I have quietly prayed for a tornado NOT to come down...when it seemed immenant...that it would destroy homes below. And at the time....nobody would have liked to seen a tornado more than me...it had been so long since I had seen one.
With respect to this subject, I personally have the mindset that I hope I don't see anybody get killed, hurt, or their hard-earned property wiped out. But like I said previously...nature is gonna do what nature is gonna do. That being said....I KNOW that when I'm under tornadic cells....I should be responsible enough to contact the local NWS office and report the EARLIEST signs of tornadic development. I can't stop tornadoes from doing their damage...but I CAN potentially mitigate the level of pain that might happen.
Bill Hark
EF5
I think most chasers realize the economic effects of a tornado (and associated hail) passing across a farmer's field. The general public especially those who live in cities or suburbs are the ones who don't know about the impact. Also, damage to fields is rarely reported unless there is a very large area affected. I usually see agriculture damage reported in relation to drought or early/late freezes.
Bill Hark
Bill Hark
cdcollura
EF5
I vouch for all of this...
Hail is by far the biggest and costliest "destructor" of crops.
Even golfball sized can strip leaves off trees / crops and kill them.
Grapefruit hail can be fatal to ANY livestock (cows, horses, etc).
Seeing this moster supercell storm over a field makes me think about crop / livestock losses. It's heart-breaking.
Unfortunately, we might ALL pay for this, as costs of meat / produce go up because of such losses as well, even people living very far from America's "bread basket" (aka: the PLAINS).
Hail is by far the biggest and costliest "destructor" of crops.
Even golfball sized can strip leaves off trees / crops and kill them.
Grapefruit hail can be fatal to ANY livestock (cows, horses, etc).
Seeing this moster supercell storm over a field makes me think about crop / livestock losses. It's heart-breaking.
Unfortunately, we might ALL pay for this, as costs of meat / produce go up because of such losses as well, even people living very far from America's "bread basket" (aka: the PLAINS).
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