Your All-time Favorite Tornado Video?

[Shane Adams]

Always a fun topic for me, what's everyone's favorite tornado video of all-time? Mine is the Andover, KS tornado of 4-26-91 as shot by Earl Evans. There have been many similar in the years since, but for whatever reason, this clip just jumps at me. The ferocity, the magnitude, the violence of the atmosphere has never been better-shown IMO. This tornado looks alive, like it's breathing...

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[Marcus Diaz]

Something about this old video from Jim that really drew me into it. Still one of my favorite classic chase clips.

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[Skip Talbot]

Oh my, it's the Columbus, NE 1998 F4 "Crazy Farmer". There's so much in this video to love and it's been brought up quite a few times on here already over the years, but I could still gush over it. High contrast, textured wedge. Very distinct roar in the audio. Throw some softballs in there to keep the action going. Some of the best local's dialogue. Crazy multivortex action from extremely close range, Campo like stovepipe, fairly unique structure with those tendrils under the tornado cyclone. This video has it all. The guy is standing directly in the path of a violent wedge and it ropes out at his feet as a high based, clear air stationary drillbit stovepipe. When the camera tilts full vertical I still get chills down my spine. I can't think of a more perfect intercept than that.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Skip beat me to the punch. I have to really think about this one, as there are many out there I love. But Columbus is the one that every time I watch, I'm glued to the screen for the entire duration of the video, no matter how many times I've seen it. There are two other videos of this tornado from the opposite (west, sunlit) side that are almost equally transfixing and jaw-droppingly awe-inspiring.

The jet-engine roar at the rope out stage is also worth a mention.

 

[Jeff Duda]

It's hard to declare just one as being my favorite, but the helicopter video of the tornado in Fridley Park, MN in 1986 is definitely a top 5. I love it because it illustrates tornado structure and airflow from close range and in a unique perspective, and the tornado was highly visible and not terribly violent.

 

[Adam R Davis]

Always a fun topic for me, what's everyone's favorite tornado video of all-time? Mine is the Andover, KS tornado of 4-26-91 as shot by Earl Evans. There have been many similar in the years since, but for whatever reason, this clip just jumps at me. The ferocity, the magnitude, the violence of the atmosphere has never been better-shown IMO. This tornado looks alive, like it's breathing...

Watch video >

Gotta agree with you on this one, hands down. I bought Tornadoes: The Entity years ago just for that segment. My only gripe is that he zoomed way too much.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Hard to beat the Pampa, TX tornado of 1995...

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I'm with Shane on the Andover video. The famous one at the AFB is also up there for me, maybe it's just the sound of the siren and having it die, but it's a great video.

 

[James Gustina]

It's currently a tie between Arnett 05/04/2007 and Fort Cobb 05/03/1999 but I'll just post Fort Cobb.

 

[Sean Ramsey]

Ahh someone caught the Ft. Cobb 1999 tornado on video....first tornado I ever saw. I know what I'll be watching after work. That's exciting!

 

[Mike Marz]

Like others have said, it is impossible for me to chose just one. But this is one of my favorites because you can tell it was a hook slice and they were able to creep up behind the violent tornado and have it cross right in front of them. This tornado reminds me of the Andover tornado, anyone else think that? The tornado making the classic waterfall sound is great, and so is the lightning bolt.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I'm a fan of Verne Carlson's 5/24/11 Canton video, if for anything, the pure joy and unbridled enthusiasm of Verne himself. Road blocked? Use feet. That's dedication.

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

So many great videos out there, but this will always be near the top for me not matter what pixel resolutions they come out with.


Lazbuddie, Texas Tornado 5-10-1991

 

[Jason Boggs]

I have to agree with Wesley. That video is very close to #1 for me.

 

[Adam Reagan]

This is a tough question for me. I have to go with the Fritch, TX video of the man not only getting struck by lightning as the multi-vortex tornado approaches his neighborhood, but also getting knocked out by debris in his home as it was sustaining damage. All while his camcorder was still recording.