To all of my fellow chasers... please read.

[John Mullen]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank Stormtrack and the individuals that are involved with keeping this knowledge base open to all, and for giving me the privilege to speak with you guys today. Being able to speak with some of the chasers, meteorologists, scientists and otherwise great men like Tim Vasquez or Warren Faidely is something we should all be grateful for. We're among some of the best chasers in the world, right here on Stormtrack. Stormtrack has made it possible for everyone in the storm chasing community to interact, exchange ideas and information, and have just flat out have a great time. So thanks a lot, guys. Your efforts are noticed and appreciated.

This post is not an attempt to cause disruption, or to call any one out directly. I'm trying my best not to step on an toes here, so I'll forgo names from here on out. Just keep in mind that this one's from the heart of someone who's passion lies in severe weather.

I know that many of you have had it brought to your attention the state of our community as of right now. Things are quickly changing and chasing isn't what it used to be. But, for better or for worse? I guess the answer to that depends on what side of the fence your on.

The guys who have pioneered this hobby/art/science or whatever you want to call it, so we can enjoy the feeling of a successful chase day just as much as they did... some of "big names" in storm chasing are starting to say that they won't be chasing in high risk areas on the "good" days any more. I say that's BS. I never thought I'd live to see they day it turned to that. You should have dibs on any and every storm you encounter. This includes the Vortex 2 project. I don't know how many of you were around for the original Vortex project (I for one wasn't quite old enough to appreciate it) but from what I understand, the behaviour and attitudes of (most) everyone in the plains was completely different than what you will encounter today.

Something needs to change.

I've recently lost all respect for a handful of "chasers", their associated crew members and media affiliations after witnessing their behaviour and their blatant disregard for the safety and well being of the public. Their behaviour is also directly responsible for the misinformation and hype that is fed to the public during "prime time" TV hours, through the mainstream media, along with a few privately own "news" outlets and non-fiction entertainment cable television stations. With their representations of our presence, we are glamourised and ultimately exploited for financial gain, with disregard for the well being of both the general public and the chaser community that is actually supporting them. Something needs to be done.

Actions of certain individuals on 5/10 and 5/19 reflected terribly on our community. The mainstream media has been portraying us has renegade, crazed, reckless individuals with no respect for authority or safety. Like we somehow think we are "above the law". The media has forgotten who was shown in the clips, and have continued to omit that vital information, along with other key details in every airing to date. Apparently, we have to fill their shoes... and I won't stand for it.

The public image of storm chasing has become so misconstrued and misrepresented it's not funny. It's like "Twister" all over again but much, much worse.

What really bothers me is that I'm still a "green" chaser, if you will. I've been chasing since 2005 and studying much longer. I've bagged one tornado a year since then. To NC standards, that's decent. My great buddy of mine who chases for a TV station in north eastern Texas has bagged something in the ballpark of 200 in his career... just like a lot of you! I just hate being one of the guys that is going to the plains for the FIRST time in 2011.. simply because the public is now under the impression that every storm chaser is just a crazed yahoo that doesn't know how to find his/her a** without a map and flashlight.

I don't want to be looked at by those outside of the chasing community as "one of those guys". Slowly but surely, that's the way the public opinion is shifting with nearly all chasers... special attention to those that have only been active for a few years. I believe that I've proven myself to be a responsible, respectable storm chaser, but the public's opinion is now another story. I guess we know who to thank for that one.

I have the tendency to be long winded, and I apologize. This mess has been tearing me up. I've talked to a good 30 of you out there and from the looks of it, we're all in the same boat. It's BS and something needs to be done sooner, rather than later.

With that being said, this is to those of you that, quite frankly need to get the hell away. There's no room for people in the plains that have no clue what's going on.

The way I see it, if you don't know how to forecast and chase the old school way (think Howie Bluestein, back in the 80's. Pay-phones, maps, and a few plots from that morning. That's it. And he was very sucessful), you should not be out in the plains. Period. You're not competent to chase safely and successfully. You need to understand that there's no room, and furthermore, it is no place for the inexperienced, uneducated and misinformed individual. You can, and probably will end up getting yourself (or worse, someone else) killed. The road networks just can't sustain that many people safely and even if they could, you're still out of place because you can't tell yourself what's going on. You are a danger to yourself and more importantly, to others.

If you purposely follow other chasers without their exclusive permission, you're included in this group.

If you don't know how to sit down in the morning, look at a few plots, models and the like, and then find a suitable target area without checking to see "where everyone else" is going for the day... you are likely in that group.

If you aren't knowledgeable enough to chase "off the grid", with no live radar updates, no phone calls from "base" every 5 minutes, etc... then you are not a true, die-hard storm chaser and you do NOT belong in the plains. Go take a tour if you must, or better yet get an education and then go out! I'm not saying that the inexperienced shouldn't chase... but make sure you have your head in the game. Knowledge is power (and it will keep you alive).

Do us a favor and don't make everyone around you look like a jack*** just because you can. We enjoy our "hobby", and if you're one of those people then it's my opinion that you need to go find your own.

As for the "chasers" that have been disgracing our community with their actions and words... you should be ashamed of yourselves.



Thanks for reading guys, I hope you all take this to heart. I'm taking this issue personal and I'm here to do something about it.

Have a great day ladies and gents, and good luck this season!

 

[David Conaway]

I believe that there are several reasons for the concerns you have. I do miss the old days when you had to commit to a target and stick with it. Data was very limited and most of the time you had no idea what was going on in areas further to the south or north. If you were lucky, you knew someone at the NWS and gould get some last minute data. With all of todays tools at our disposal, I would not go back to the past methods unless I had to.

Today, just about everyone has access to the internet and a growing number have laptops with a network card. Anyone can look at a radar and determine the most intense storm and make a run at it. This is probably why there are so many chasers on a particular storm.

The media in today's society is always looking for the most insane news story or video to draw ratings. Many chasers today are in it for the possible financial gain of capturing the most dramatic scene that is possible. This is done without any regard to the public or any other chaser. The general public will view these videos and see the chaser survive a close encounter with a tornado and think that they can do the same thing. As a result, you have the experienced and non experienced chaser all fighting for the closest position.

Fortunately, I have not had any negative experiences while chasing. I target areas where there will not be a ton of chasers and stay back away from the storm a bit to witness the structure.

David Conaway

 

[Jim Stovall]

You hit the nail on the head

I believe that there are several reasons for the concerns you have. I do miss the old days when you had to commit to a target and stick with it. Data was very limited and most of the time you had no idea what was going on in areas further to the south or north. If you were lucky, you knew someone at the NWS and gould get some last minute data. With all of todays tools at our disposal, I would not go back to the past methods unless I had to.

Today, just about everyone has access to the internet and a growing number have laptops with a network card. Anyone can look at a radar and determine the most intense storm and make a run at it. This is probably why there are so many chasers on a particular storm.

The media in today's society is always looking for the most insane news story or video to draw ratings. Many chasers today are in it for the possible financial gain of capturing the most dramatic scene that is possible. This is done without any regard to the public or any other chaser. The general public will view these videos and see the chaser survive a close encounter with a tornado and think that they can do the same thing. As a result, you have the experienced and non experienced chaser all fighting for the closest position.

Fortunately, I have not had any negative experiences while chasing. I target areas where there will not be a ton of chasers and stay back away from the storm a bit to witness the structure.

David Conaway

David you said it all in your post. I am like you in my storm tracking ventures, I avoid high risk areas at all costs. Like you say a lot of people are under the impression that there is big money to be made when there isn't. The media will simply get free video from the average citizen who grabs a video camera instead of heading for shelter. Also like you stated, thanks to a certain network and a certain "extreme meteorologist", storm chasing has gone downhill.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Get out and chase, who cares what people think.

Whats funny is, people like to claim they chase for only themselves yet their so worried what other people think...it just seems hypocritical to me.

 

[Brandon Jenkins]

Also like you stated, thanks to a certain network and a certain "extreme meteorologist", storm chasing has gone downhill.

I think it cowardice and unnecessary to point the finger of blame at Reed (lets call it what it is) and his crew for any of the issues we face. Had he not signed that contract with the Discovery Channel someone else would have and we would be in the same situation. By the same regard we can blame Dr. Wurman, Vortex2, Sean Casey, and every single chaser who appeared in the disaster that was "Tornado Road". They shouldn't be punished for their dedication to chasing, it just happened to land them in a more lucrative position than the rest of us.

 

[Bryce Stone]

The way I see it, if you can't forecast and chase the old school way (think Howie Bluestein, back in the 80's. Pay-phones, maps, and a few plots from that morning. That's it. And he was very sucessful), you should not be out in the plains. Period.

You seem very nostalgic for a time and place that has long since passed. Since no one has to chase this way anymore, what motivation is there for newcomers to the hobby to chase like this?

While I agree with your basic premise (people should learn more about weather before attempting to observe it firsthand), the easy availability of data has changed everything.

One no longer has to have encyclopediac knowledge of weather to see a tornado. Thus, chasing the way you describe has become a choice, not a prerequisite for chasing.

I agree that there are people out there chasing that probably shouldn't be chasing due to lack of knowledge, but I disagree when you say that every chaser must know as much as Bluestein or they shouldn't be chasing. That level of knowledge is simply not required to chase anymore.

Storm chasing has permanently changed, and demanding that people do things the "old" way before having any right to chase is unrealistic.

It seems to me that the big issue of the day in chasing is what chasers are doing during severe weather, not who knows how much.

 

[Justin Turcotte]

There is no going back. I think we spend too much time worrying about the other guy. We all know there are idiot drivers out there be them on the expressway heading to work or out in the Plains chasing a supercell. Some things will never change. If one wishes to avoid the crowd he should consider either attacking the mother load from a different angle or opt for a less obvious target. I believe there is ample room for everyone with plenty to spare.

 

[Mike Moore]

I used to fish in Sebastian Inlet in a boat during Snook season, and there would be a handful of people out there on any given night. People would share tips, tricks and even offer a hand if someone got in over their head.

Now if you try and fish the inlet during Snook season good luck to you. It's hundreds of boats lined up motor to motor and curse words are flying like lures. People are running over peoples lines and have no regard for anyone other than themselves. There are still some good people in the mix, but when people get in a large crowded group and you add an element of stress there will be trouble. What used to be a relaxing way to spend time with the family is suddenly kill or be killed.

It's the world we live in... things change.

You say you're taking this personally and you're here to do something about it. The issue with this is I bet a good percentage of people causing these problems in convergences don't read ST, and they don't even know it exists. Despite what's been posted the last few weeks people didn't START driving like idiots on 5/10. I can only speak for the brief period since 2004 that I've been chasing but I've run into crazy drivers on about 25% of my chases. I've never felt the need to take pictures and string them up on here for public floggings, but now that that's the new "thing" maybe I'll start.

No matter how many threads are started on this subject I think it's always going to be a problem. Just avoid the masses and have a good time.

 

[Scott Nelson]

Personally, I'm thankful to everyone and anyone who chases PERIOD!!! Sure, with all good comes some bad (dangerous driving, poor attitudes, etc). But bottom line, Tornado AWARENESS is at an all time high. And in my book, that's a GOOD thing for public safety when an event is on your communities doorstep. A life warned and subsequently saved regardless of how it's done when will never be annoying to me. All these other issues can be fixed with some respect _ rather then disrespectful fingerpointing.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

I guess I'm finally at a point where I just feel like we're starting to do more harm than good out there, and the potential exists for something very sad to happen. It isn't anyone's fault. We are just loving it to death, it seems. I won't be chasing anymore this year and posted my reasoning in my blog. I've always felt like if things ever got to this point that I would need to at least step back and reevaluate, and that's just where I'm at personally (I was really almost there a couple years ago after Ness City). Certainly not saying that anyone else should do the same (or that it's the right thing to do for anyone other than myself), it's just a personal feeling and that's it. I've been scaling back for several years now anyway, so this won't be that much of a jump. And no, I really don't feel like what we are doing is actually saving lives or anything, or even contributing that much to be honest. But that's a personal judgment and in no way intended to reflect on anyone else or their thinking on the matter.

 

[Joshua Nall]

David you said it all in your post. I am like you in my storm tracking ventures, I avoid high risk areas at all costs. Like you say a lot of people are under the impression that there is big money to be made when there isn't. The media will simply get free video from the average citizen who grabs a video camera instead of heading for shelter. Also like you stated, thanks to a certain network and a certain "extreme meteorologist", storm chasing has gone downhill.

This blaming stuff that is going on is pointless. Using the fishing analogy again.... A guy at church yesterday was saying it's hard to catch fish early anymore cause if there is a bass tournament going... sooooo many people... takes forever to get in the water. Then trying to fish you have boats blasting past you for the first hour or so. It's ridiculous to blame Bill Dance for that, or the "Fishing Channel"... even though it does contribute to the numbers. If we want to blame, then the inventors of wireless internet and the GRLEVEL3 software engineer or just as much at fault.

Concerning the original post... The problem is not the percentage of chasers that don't know what they are doing. It's the percentage of chasers that all have to be in the exact right spot..... all the time..... and up close... to see a tornado. it's actually not even the numbers, and there are folks in that mix that don't know what they are doing... but it's those that don't really CARE what they are doing that are the problem... the degree of weather knowledge has nothing to do with it. It's just folks being IRRESPONSIBLE. Folks that don't obey traffic laws, don't care about other folks property (Look at the video on the muddy field thread.....I paraphrase..."We're in a field?!!!!..... HAHAHAHAHAHA!" To give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe there was some remorse for what had happened later on.

If this reckless stuff is what folks are calling chasing, then I'm not a chaser. I've never chased like others do anyway.... generally just try to get way out on front and sit and let it go by... then I'll try to get way out in front again, and repeat. I don't see near as many naders this way, but it's more enjoyable.

 

[Andrew Stoller]

Get out and chase, who cares what people think.

Whats funny is, people like to claim they chase for only themselves yet their so worried what other people think...it just seems hypocritical to me.

Seriously! And for someone to to tell other inexperienced chasers to stay out of the great plains? Ridiculous and selfish. Who granted you a license to tell people what to do, Mr. Mullen?

It's not the no-name low-key passionate chasers who are causing the problem. It's a a very small group of VERY WELL KNOWN chasers who got caught acting reckless, along with a few yocals.

This is one of the most misguided threads I've read on ST IMO.

 

[Joshua Nall]

Get out and chase, who cares what people think.

Whats funny is, people like to claim they chase for only themselves yet their so worried what other people think...it just seems hypocritical to me.

I care what other people think. I talk to LEO's probably 75% of the time I go out, and have yet to have a bad experience. "Oh... your a chaser... well cool" But then I sometimes say... "Oh not really, I just like photographing storms" I doubt I'll refer to myself as a chaser when in the presence of Law enforcement from now on. We can say goodbye to the "warnings". If the perception of character continues downhill... then yeah I care.... we should all care.

 

[Joshua Nall]

I need to say that I just read the additional comments on the muddy field thread. I better understand it now. But still.... the guy laughing about driving through a crop.... even if it wasn't yet... that just really got to me.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I think that SOME have mad it BAD for the WHOLE.
Not going to back and go over all that was discussed already - just get my anger up again. But I will say that this media mess has put me on guard to ensure my best behavior when out there.

I think that it is too easy to have high expectations on a chase. There is the money spent on gas, lodging, and food. Not to forget the amount of forecasting homework and target planning. By the time one completes this much effort; one wants some positive results. My chase to SD the other day is an example of this. Had I gone with my best instinct and target the boundary and drive another 150 miles - I would have some success. I blame myself. So the last thing I need is yahoos creating troubles and creating a negative slant.

Do I think we do well to be out there? Oh yes. Sure. Better to have more eyes than less. It isn't about being a hero and warning in time to save a small community. How can possibly be the case anyway? If a tornado is going to ravage a small town, then having more people watching is not going to hurt a thing. Especially in rural areas on chases; being there could be pivotal for just one family. Would it be worth it for just one family? Ask them after you are closest to the event and call EMT and the local fire dept. Or even go in and assure those who are trapped in their own basement. Do you think they appreciate that you have called for help and let them know that help is on the way? How would one feel in a hole after their home has been destroyed and you were the only one there to help? Or would you just get in your car and drive away and say "Well; I got some nice pics - it's time to go". I don't think so.

What about Yazoo City this year? Chasers got involved in local emergency groups moving debris and helping out victims. I'm sure that TWC and those that published that anti-chaser drivel in OK just lumped the yahoo chasers in with real chasers and had a go at giving it all a bash. And so they did; just proves how wrong they were and how wrong they had the facts. It's not going to stop me; I'll let them figure it out. And if they don't figure it out - I will continue to push a big bug up - thru the press - where it does them the most good.

Did I just rant again?!?
Rats!