Discovery Channel released an officialstatement following his funeral:We are so saddened to hear about Joels passing. [8] The probe was dropped in front of the oncoming tornado a mere 82 seconds before it hit. Storm chasers are usually meteorologists and scientists who deliberately pursue severe weather phenomena for adventure, scientific investigation, and curiosity. Taylors team, from the website TornadoVideos.Net, consisted of meteorologist Reed Timmer and Chris Chittick, a photographer/probe technician. The life of any storm chaser is supposed to be thrilling, and it isfor a few minutes or hours at a time. The roughly 5,000-year-old human remains were found in graves from the Yamnaya culture, and the discovery may partially explain their rapid expansion throughout Europe. This article was published more than3 years ago. [5] Broadcast [ edit] Chasers become close friends. Id rather the truck be lighter and easier on gas., Storm chasers dont want to drive directly into a tornado or other severe weather event. "[7] On Facebook, Samaras' brother said he died "doing what [he] LOVED. Talking to Accuweather, Reed disclosed: I was unable to get back to the vehicle and couldnt see it, so I just turned my back to the wind and hoped for the best until it passed. Reed is a passionate meteorologist and weather enthusiast, who had already encountered deadly vortexes, and managed to film them without sustaining severe injuries. I worry Im setting a bad example. If youve wondered how they can do that without putting themselves at risk, the answer is simple. The vehicles on the roads had broken windows., In the storm-chasing community, theres much debate over what separates a professional from an amateur. I remember being a 15-year-old weather nerd wanting to have these experiences. Its my opinion that the Weather Channel has a very long history of promoting and executing dangerous behavior, photojournalist and storm chaser Warren Faidley wrote at Stormtrack.org, a forum for chasers. Almost nowhere else in the world do you have this unstable moist air mass out of the Gulf of Mexico meeting the drier air mass coming over the Rockies, along with cold polar air coming out of the North. In any five-year stretch, a driver has a 25-percent chance of getting into an accident. This forced them to drive closer to the tornado than they would have preferred. Most chasers spent . The crew was equipped with several weather instruments with which to collect data from 12 ft. above ground, and often collaborated with the DOW group, using their radar imagery and the probe data to establish more accurate and complete pictures of the tornados structure. The disappointment is heavy. He was married to Kendra, with whom he welcomed two children, Colin and Hunter. For still photography, Mottice puts the camera on a tripod outside while he remains in the truck. Applied Research Associates. Please be respectful of copyright. Forecasters were often wary to announce storms for fear of causing panic or making people complacent if the storms did not appear. What got him interested in storm chasing was a NOVA documentary on twisters. The chasers drive. He is survived by his wife . All rights reserved. You can see where it is and you can avoid it. Ronan is an executive producer on the film entitled, Tornado Alley, with the release on March 18, 2011.[1]. Tim Samaras, 55, was not known to be risky. The goal of Reed's small but highly mobile team is to capture "extreme video" as well as scientific data from tornadoes. Storm chaser Tim Samaras displays his 1,680-pound, 1.4-million-frames-per-second camera. The interstates were packed with people panicking and fleeing for their lives before the tornadoes hit, as the previous week the area had been hit by a tornado which killed a mother and her child. He hauls down this dirt road with the tornado closing in. More will die: The ethics of up-close tornado chasing, You can only roll the dice so many times: Tim Samaras lived life like a twister. The @weatherchannel vehicle just got thrown by tornado. Tim Samaras was a pioneer and great man. He finally got it right in South Dakota, the titan of the plains. ", ON A MOBILE DEVICE? In March 2017, a traffic accident claimed the lives of three storm chasers on a road in west Texas. I have a roll cage to prevent it from being crushed. "When the tornado appeared," he recalled. Mistargeted, misleading advertising: I remember watching commercials for "this new show, Firefly" and wondering "What the fuck?". Compared with many other outdoor pursuits, even popular ones such as surfing or hiking, the endeavor had not proved as risky as it might seem. "[3] He would continue this pursuit until his untimely death in 2013. As an adult he held an Amateur Extra Class license, the highest amateur radio class issued in the United States, and was proficient in Morse code. There's no shortage of opportunities for storm chasers. Schyma, who posts under the name . Herb Stien unfortunately passed away in 2016. We will always remember him fondly as an incredible meteorologist and driver of The Dominator, a representative for the Discovery Channel told PEOPLE in a statement on behalf of the network. Unfortunately, early in 2016, Herb was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a disease that rapidly ended his life that year at the age of 57, in Ohio. Samaras was an autodidact who never received a college degree. Its heavier than a normal truck. His goal was to expand the lead time on tornadoes, which he said is about 17 minutes. Photograph by Carsten Peter, Nat Geo Image Collection, Photograph Courtesy Simon & Schuster Publicity. [3] According to Eileen O'Neill, president of the Discovery networks, Samaras' work was directly responsible for increased warning times ahead of tornadoes.[13]. During a thunderstorm hed run a line out to a power pole outside to see if he could conduct a little bit of the charge to a light bulb. He didnt know it then, but he had achieved what atmospheric scientists had been trying and failing to do for decades. When a tornado or hurricane happens, they want to be there to observe and record it. To better understand what motivates these individuals to seek out cataclysmic events, Mental Floss spoke to three extreme weather specialists. In March 2017, a traffic accident claimed the lives of three storm chasers on a road in west Texas. One of the cast members of the show whose death shook the American community and the series fans was the passing of Matt Hughes. He hasnt had a direct strike yet, like Tim had, but he is working on it. In Montana, a storm produced 120 mile-per-hour winds. We have some exciting things this year so stay tuned! [15] From 2009 until the show's cancellation in 2012, Samaras was a featured personality on the Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers. The show followed a group of scientists as they "chased" tornadoes in order to study the storm's path and behavior. The sub-vortex fluctuates in width and has winds up to 200 mph in speed. "One thing it didnt get right is the human toll. Tim Samaras always wanted to be a storm chaser and he was one of the best. During the 2007 and 2008 seasons Dr. Joshua Wurman, a renowned atmospheric scientist and creator of the Doppler On Wheels (DOW), teamed with documentary IMAX filmmaker Sean Casey. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? Or hed tune the radio during storms and listen for the static crashes of far-off lightning. This article is about a television series. The case is a first of its kind, and the outcome may lead to a rethinking of the relationship between storm chasers and media organizations. The quickest way is a straight line. Engineering, meteorology. This may be an area where chasers can work to reduce risk. He was still with the DOW, but I know he has since gone on to other things. [7], Samaras designed and built his own weather instruments, known as probes, and deployed them in the path of tornadoes in order to gain scientific insight into the inner workings of a tornado. Three storm chasers died in a violent Texas collision. Last week, a $125 million wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the Weather Channel (TWC). In 2017 the most recent year with a full accounting more than 37,000 people died in traffic accidents. Timothy Michael Samaras (November 12, 1957 May 31, 2013) was an American engineer and storm chaser best known for his field research on tornadoes and time on the Discovery Channel show, Storm Chasers. He became an amateur radio operator at age 12 and built transmitters using old television sets. Why wetlands are so critical for life on Earth, Rest in compost? But before that happened, Witt stole second base in the top . His probe went into the core of an F4 tornado. "I have my camera and gear on a tripod. Samaras was born November 12, 1957, in Lakewood, Colorado, to Paul T. and Margaret L. He died in the 2013 El Reno tornado . According to reports, 13 people died in this Oklahoma twister, including the three storm chasers, who knew the risks. It's one of the most difficult aspects of . It was a gamble he had to make time and time again. [2] The measurement is also the lowest pressure, 850 hectopascals (25.10inHg), ever recorded at Earth's surface when adjusted for elevation. Its when they encounter the sub-vortex within the tornado that theyre killed. [29], Meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a statement saying they were very saddened by Tim's death. The chasers got too close to the twister, the critics say, setting a . Specifics aside, it has always been a truism that for most chasers the most dangerous part of chasing is the driving, rather than the tornadoes themselves. "Wouldn't it be great if that lead time could be 30 minutes? Storm chasers keep an even closer eye on weather data, but for a different reason. In 2008, the show began chronicling the adventures of the team TVN, led by the meteorologist Reed Timmer, plus Joel Taylor and Chris Chittick. There is definitely a moral conundrum that goes on, because later I found out we were very near a village that was almost completely destroyed. Most people assume hurricanes and tornadoes represent the pinnacle of danger when it comes to storm-chasing. Live Storm Chasers & Storm of Passion: James Breitenbach, Posted by Live Storm Chasers onMonday, March 21, 2022. His work was funded in large part by the National Geographic Society (NGS) which awarded him 18 grants for his field work. The stakes are higher when chasers partner with major news organizations seeking the most dramatic content. Allegedly, Tim Samaras revealed that after the show was canceled, he was thrilled as it focused more on interpersonal drama and conflicts, rather than scientific discovery and the capture of extraordinary and rare footage of weather phenomena. The accomplishment is listed in the Guinness World Records as "greatest pressure drop measured in a tornado". (Discovery Channel/Discovery Channel), Moments before they lost their lives, the terrified voices of veteran storm chaser Tim Samaras and his son, Paul, could be heard shouting, "We're going to die" as they desperately tried to outrun a massive Oklahoma tornado. But the clicks and the fame garnered by capturing viral tornado footage on social media may be provoking and rewarding risky behavior. One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. Following the news of his tragic death, dozens of chasers and spotters in Kansasformedthe initials A.G on SpotterNetwork.Orgs map as a tribute to Andy. Storm chasers, left to right, Tony Laubach, Carl Young, Paul Samaras and Tim Samaras. The U.S. each year sees an average of 1253 tornadoesa massive column of spinning air borne out of thunderstorms and creating winds up to 250 miles per hour. Texas was the leader in fatalities, with nearly 10 percent of that total. Given TWCs past history, it may not be hard to establish a pattern of ignoring such behavior, Faidley said. [11] The tornado simultaneously took an unexpected sharp turn closing on their position as it rapidly accelerated within a few minutes from about 20mph (32km/h) to as much as 60mph (97km/h) in forward movement and swiftly expanded from about 1 mile (1.6km) to 2.6 miles (4.2km) wide in about 30 seconds, and was mostly obscured in heavy precipitation,[19][22] all of which combined so that several other chasers were also hit or had near misses. Heres why each season begins twice. He also contributed to Storm Track magazine. It's no secret that chasing storms is dangerous business, and three individuals who were featured on the program met their demises after getting caught up in tornadoes. Morgerman, who has likely been in more hurricanes than anyone alivehe says the Science Channel verified the claim for his television seriesbelieves amateurs who follow chasers on social media might get the wrong idea. [24], Even before it was known that Samaras, his son, and Young had been killed, the event led many to question storm chasing tactics, particularly in close proximity to tornadoes. So, eventually, their progress slows to about 20 mph. But when tornadoes do occur, these outbursts may be much, much worse than anything weve seen. Storm chasers react to the wrongful death lawsuit against the Weather Channel, Biden enlists potential rivals as advisers ahead of 2024, Their toddler took a nap in an Airbnb and fentanyl killed her, the huge El Reno tornado took the lives of scientist Tim Samaras and his crew. Storm chasers who intentionally drove into the teeth of a tornado Sunday are now facing scathing blowback from their peers. [13] His colleagues considered him to be one of the most careful chasers in the business. Although the official boundaries of Tornado Alley are not clearly defined, its core extends from northern Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, into Nebraska. In June 2013, the Discovery Channel aired a Storm Chasers special, Mile Wide Tornado: Oklahoma Disaster, which covered the deadly tornado that hit El Reno, Oklahoma, in May of that year. It was eventually moving at highway speeds, which is incredibly dangerous. I have not heard anything about what he is currently doing - his facebook page has been empty since 2017. Debris was bouncing off of the sedan and Tim and Carl were well aware that this was a very bad place to be. Tornadoes moved in quickly for the second time in two weeks, and were deadly. Paul Samaras and Young were sucked out of the vehicle. [26] A makeshift memorial was established at the site soon after the incident[27] and a crowdfunded permanent memorial is under development, spearheaded by Doug Gerten, the deputy who first found the vehicle wreckage. It was a huge day. The life of any storm chaser is supposed to be thrilling, and it isfor a few minutes or hours at a time. Chasers generally kept a safe distance from storms or had planned escape routes. Tornado pursuer Tim Samaras, who previously hosted the Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers series. Tornado chasers in a van track an "elephant's trunk" tornado in South Dakota. [2] In total, he tracked down more than 125 tornadoes during his career. Tim, his son, Paul, and his chasing partner, Carl, were all killed, probably instantly. A scientist, Samaras had spent 35 years trying to understand destructive storm systems and was well-respected in the weather-tracking community. [3], Beginning in 1998, Samaras founded and co-produced (with Roger Hill) the National Storm Chasers Convention, an annual event held near Denver and attended by hundreds of chasers from around the world. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Heres everything you need to know about Storm Chasers, which concluded in 2012 after five seasons. The show was canceled at the end of its 5th season by Discovery Communications on January 21, 2012. [1] Paul (19252005) was a photographer and model airplane distributor who was an Army projectionist in WWII. Theres exterior coating to prevent punctures in the vehicle., While the roll cage is heavy, the goal isnt to make the vehicle heavier so it's harder for a tornado to pick up. For a week at a time you can drive thousands of miles just to see a thunderstorm that doesnt produce. Its inarguable that he had a lasting impact. Storm Chasers is a documentary reality series that follows several groups of storms chasers as they try to intercept tornadoes in Tornado Alley in the US, the area frequently hit by tornadoes. [4] Tim Samaras was reportedly relieved when the show was cancelled as he thought it focused more on interpersonal drama than on the storms themselves. The news came as a surprise to Storm Chasers fans, who wondered why the show was discontinued. [21] The true size of the multiple-vortex tornado confused onlookers by its mammoth proportions containing orbiting subvortices larger than average tornadoes and its expansive transparent to translucent outer circulation. Magliocco went on to say he uses less gear than in the past. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. They need converging winds. Samaras coauthored, along with Stefan Bechtel and Greg Forbes, Tornado Hunter: Getting Inside the Most Violent Storms on Earth (.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}ISBN978-1426203022), in 2009. Tim was found seat-belted in his Chevrolet Cobalt, while Paul and Carl were pulled from the car by the tornado; one was found a half-mile away from the vehicle. The damage associated with these storms. 'Storm Chasers' has clocked in a lot of cast members deaths. Lesko. Tim jumps out, activates the probe, plants it in the dirt, then sprints back into the vehicle and peels out as fast as he can with this tornado dropping pieces of housing insulation into the road ahead. Were not just driving around in a pick-up truck, he says. Our closest runner-up in the sheer number of tornadoes is Canada, and theyre not even close. Courtesy Discovery Channel. He might be in a hurricane for hours; a tornado might touch down for just a few minutes. The Great Plains is an accident of geography. The only thing they have in common is that they go out chasing one day and get bit by the bug. [1] The family lived on 35 acres near Bennett, Colorado, at the time of his death. The Most Nostalgia-Inducing Cast Reunions Through the Years, Celebs in Bed! He also worked for Boeing, doing field testing on hail-resistant skins for aircraft,[6] and for the federal government during his career. The veteran trio rushed to the area to document the tornadoes, and their TWISTEX vehicle was struck by a vortex, generating some of the highest winds and moving at 175mph (282km/h). Indeed, he had missed the catastrophic tornado that ripped apart Moore, Okla., on May 20, killing nine children and 13 others, because he and his team determined it was just too dangerous to pursue. He obtained a Pentagon security clearance by 20, testing and building weapons systems. Wind is an issue. Some chasers bring back-up equipment in case their gear gets pummeled. One mother now blames the Weather Channel. The TWISTEX vehicle was struck by a subvortex, which generate the highest winds and some of which were moving at 175mph (282km/h) within the parent tornado. The episode was dedicated to him, and his contribution to meteorology and storm chasing. In an interview with the Daily News two days later, Samaras said he gave wide berth to the Moore monster, which measured EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the highest tornado rating. Im embarrassed to say I dont wear a helmet, Morgerman says. Where is Lashanta White from My 600-lb Life now? Theyll pull under overpasses and get stuck on the road with a tornado coming at them., Johnson agrees, adding that injury from storms can often take a back seat to traffic accidents. Casey produced/directed his second IMAX feature about tornadoes. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. According to the troopers report, the other driver had been going in the wrong direction for a while, without signs of stopping or changing direction. [13], Alameda International Junior/Senior High School, "Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras funeral services set for Littleton on Thursday", "Colorado storm chaser Tim Samaras killed in Oklahoma tornado along with son and longtime partner", "The Last Ride of Legendary Storm Chaser Tim Samaras", "Tim Samaras Dead: Oklahoma Tornado Kills Storm Chaser, Son Paul Samaras, and Chase Partner Carl Young", "Greatest pressure drop measured in a tornado", "Pressure Measurements at the ground in an F-4 tornado", "World: Lowest Sea Level Air Pressure (excluding tornadoes)", "Thermal imaging system for internal combustion engines", "Tim Samaras' Wife Opens Up About The Storm Chaser's Life", "Some Considerations for the Use of High-Resolution Mobile Radar Data in Tornado Intensity Determination", "Central Oklahoma Tornadoes and Flash Flooding May 31, 2013", "The El Reno tornado unusual & very deadly", "Tornado Scientist Tim Samaras and Team Killed in Friday's El Reno, OK Tornado", "The storm chaser dilemma and choice to sit out the May 31 Oklahoma City tornadoes", "The day that should change tornado actions and storm chasing forever", "El Reno Survey A survey of the tornado of 31 May 2013", "Storm Chaser Tim Samaras: One Year After His Death, His Gift Is Unmatched", "Deputy Works To Create Memorial For Samaras Storm Chasing Team", "Monument for fallen storm chasers vandalized", "NOAA statement on deaths of storm researchers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young", "Memorial service Thursday for storm chasers Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras, killed in El Reno tornado", Explorers bio at National Geographic Society, El Reno: Lessons From the Most Dangerous Tornado in Storm Observing History, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tim_Samaras&oldid=1137531686, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 03:23. Immediately out of high school and without a rsum, he was hired as a walk-in at the University of Denver Research Institute. All rights reserved. [1] His memorial service was held on June 6, 2013 at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colorado. At 6:23p.m. on May 31, 2013, Samaras, his 24-year-old son Paul (a photographer), and TWISTEX team member Carl Young (a meteorologist), 45, were killed by a violent wedge tornado[19] with winds of 295mph (475km/h) near the Regional Airport of El Reno, Oklahoma. As a result, hurricane hunters are a small subgroup of the storm chaser demographic. But for storm chasers, tumultuous weather is an invitation to move toward the danger. So, here comes Tim, against this backdrop of scientists with PhDs from the ivory towers of meteorology and academia, and he had invented this turtle.. [31], Samaras and his wife Kathy had three children Paul (November 12, 1988 May 31, 2013), Amy Gregg, and Jennifer Samaras. Storm chasers are known for their competitive nature, but they also tend to police themselves and take pride in safety habits and helping others. The popular cast members of the show and meteorologists, deeply involved in tornado research, were killed by a violent wedge tornado in El Rino, Oklahoma on 3 June 2013. Joel Taylor of Discovery Channel's' Storm Chasers' Dead at Age 38, 'Storm Chasers' ' Joel Taylor's Family Identifies His Body in Puerto Rico After He Died on Cruise, 'Storm Chasers'' Joel Taylor Laid to Rest in His Oklahoma Hometown. Samaras also shot for art and for pleasure. Some episodes were also filmed in Dixie Alley, an area in the southeastern United States that is particularly vulnerable to violent tornadoes. It is very much an addictive pursuit. One of the meteorologists who worked with Matt, Aaron Blaser, disclosed that he had already tried to commit suicide on 14 May. In 2016, he captured footage of a massive EF2 tornado as it tore across Wray, Colorado. RIP my best friend and storm chasing partner, Joel Taylor, he wrote. Its very well-behaved. In fact, because they work together during some very intense experiences, they often develop a very close bond. An experienced chaser knows how to plan routes that keep them safely away from tornadoes. "Chase-in-progress" includes traveling to the target area before and after the chase. In a more highly populated area, you have to worry about traffic congestion, he says. Young also died in the tragic tornado pursuit. Their team was known as Team Dominator, referring to the name of their armored chase vehicle, the SRV Dominator, driven by Taylor. All three died. The intense gustiness can cause rapid pressure changes that can really hurt your ears, he says. 'Storm Chasers'StarJoel TaylorDied of Overdose Caused by Deadly Mix of Drugs, Authorities Reveal, Where to Spot a Star on Vacation: Celeb-Favorite Hotels and Resorts Across the World, 'Dancing with the Stars' Winners: See Them All Through the Years. Every year, people around the world board up windows, stock up on essential supplies, and flee their own homes in anticipation of severe weather events. TIV2 did not return from repairs until the middle of the third season. Unfortunately, in February 2012, while chasing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Andy was killed in acar accidentby a drunk driver. It was only through adopting computers in the 1960s that. Mostly when stopped. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Dr. Joshuas goal was to collect tornado data and upgrade warning systems, while Sean wanted to obtain film footage inside a tornado, from his armored vehicle. They move at various speeds up to 40 mph, and they swerve, so you have to get really close to be sure your instrument is going to enter the core. Storm Chasers was largely filmed in the central United States, in an area known as Tornado Alley, where twisters are most frequent and severe. The sub-vortex slammed into their vehicle, picked it up, and its counterclockwise winds carried it northeast and deposited it in a field more than 600 feet from their starting location. Chasers are the original distracted drivers, Magliocco said. The documentary-style reality TV series premiered in October 2007. These skeletons may have the answer, Scientists are making advancements in birth controlfor men, Blood cleaning? Given that storm chasing is a dangerous business, some of the storm chasers often succumb to Mother Natures fury. June 2, 2013 -- Storm chaser and meteorologist Tim Samaras, his storm chaser partner Carl Young, and his son Paul Samaras, were among the 11 people killed in the latest round of tornadoes and severe weather to hit Oklahoma Friday night, according to family members. With storms like that, you cant see anything. "Samaras was a respected tornado researcher and friend who brought to the field a unique portfolio of expertise in engineering, science, writing and videography," read the statement. He was this middle-class guy born and raised in Lakewood, Colorado, grew up a bit of a tinkerer. [1] In his twenties, he began to chase storms "not for the thrill, but the science. Theres an activating switch on the back; you put it in the dirt, get the hell out of the way, and come back once the tornado has gone past and collect your instrument. While he still pursues that rush, Morgerman's chief objective is to measure air pressure and log observational data that can assist meteorologists in analyzing storms. That keeps him out of dangerbut his equipment is another story. Taylor starred on "Storm Chasers" from 2008 until it was canceled in 2012. In season four, Dr. Wurman was also shown to be involved in the funding of Casey's IMAX film, when he addressed Casey about a video showing reckless driving by TIV2. [4] He communicated by amateur radio when chasing storms and was also a storm spotter, reporting sightings of hazardous weather. So they made a north turn on the next dirt road that they could. On May 31, 2013, three members of the TWISTEX team, Tim Samaras, his twenty-four-year-old son Paul Samaras, and California native Carl Young (aged 45), lost their lives while chasing an EF3 tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma. Chasing Tornadoes". In the lawsuit, filed last week in Lubbock, Tex., Jaegers mother accuses TWC of ignoring warnings from others about the chasers reckless driving habits, which she says ultimately resulted in her sons death. The vast majority of storm chasers are safe, law-abiding citizens, striving to help out in the severe weather warning process, and are instrumental in educating emergency officials on the location and severity of storms, and the science behind that, Reed Timmer, one of the worlds best-known tornado chasers, told AccuWeather.