Unsafe Tactic?

[David Drummond]

I have to say, I don't care if the President himself is blocking the road. If I am being help in place, and a tornado is bearing down on me and I am relatively confident that it stands a good chance of hitting me, I am out of there, one way or another, and the only way they are going to stop me is to shoot me.

At some point you have to take responsibility for your own safety regardless of what authority thinks they know what is best for me at that moment. I'll take the ticket or whatever later, at least I will be alive to get it.

I should add the disclaimer that I would only blow a road block like that in a case where I feel being held in place puts my life in immediate danger. Hopefully I won't ever have to be put in a situation which requires me to test the outcome of this maneuver.

 

[Jason Foster]

This is just another tact that a storm chaser is going to have to learn...how to get around road blocks. With increased attention and other situations, it is such that you have to be very aware of what is in front of you navigation wise. It is also very important to remember roads and turns you've passed in case a quick U-turn and alternate route around the road block is necessary.

I think that this season, if I find this to be a ongoing problem, I will not use interstates and major US routes if I feel I could get road blocked and locked into a spot without a quick alternate around the block.

Navigation is so key to good chasing, I bet those who know the roads, and know how to navigate (and do it fast) will be able to adjust to these type of situations quickly. I hope that my skills in finding quick routes in DC when there is an accident on a major route will be good practice for this type of situation.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I know I wouldnt be happy if an officer held me up. I understand theyre looking out for my best interest and doing their job, but that doesnt cut it. Like DD said, I take responsibility for my own safety and well being I dont need someone else to hold my hand.

It would be obvious I am a chaser, and have more knowledge of whats going on with the storm than the officer or public. I think I should be allowed through if it is my wish. If joe shmoe behind me gets jealous and feels discriminated against because he cant bring his nagging wife to the store before the shoe sale ends well....thats too bad.

In the case of Quinter blocking I-70 was probably a good call. Especially with clear visibility and a sense of direction of where the tornado was heading and where it would cross. In the video Danny posted though Im not so sure. There are allot of structures and trees in the way and Im not even too sure of the direction while watching the video.

Situations like this are a case by case basis. What works well in one situation wont work so well in others.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I think this thread underlines that interstates are not always the best chase options. Old Highway 40 parallels I-70 by Quinter and has plenty of side road options and places to turn around (ahem TIV). You aren't trapped if there is a road block or a tornado before your exit like you are on the interstate.

 

[Dick McGowan]

I think this thread underlines that interstates are not always the best chase options. Old Highway 40 parallels I-70 by Quinter and has plenty of side road options and places to turn around (ahem TIV). You aren't trapped if there is a road block or a tornado before your exit like you are on the interstate.

Old Highway 40 was/is a dirt road.