It wasn't clear we were going to outrun it! A multiple vortex twister literally developed overhead just outside Wakita and chased after us as we raced up Highway 11 toward Medford OK Monday afternoon. Wakita, ironically, is the town in which the movie Twister was shot.
I mean WOW! What began as our 5 vehicle entourage chasing storms searching for tornadoes turned into a rather frightening retreat from a rapidly developing multiple vortex tornado--- and what amounted to the very scary realization that the twister was moving as fast as we were and that at least some of us get away!
The tornado sirens were screaming as we pulled into the small northern Oklahoma community of Medford! Storm chasers lined all the roads we traveled. It was clear the fact a major tornado outbreak was likely was out. We were to discover 6 or 7 flipped semis--some on top of cars---laying on their sides as we resumed travel back to Wichita as we were Skyping back to the station in Chicago for he 5PM show.
Bill O'Toole, at the helm of our satellite truck, uplinked video shot by photo journalist Steve Scheuer, who literally hung out the window in rain and hail to get it! Photo journalist Jordan Guzzardo, riding in the car immediately behind, may have been the first to realize the multiple vortex twister was practically on top of us and had tape rolling. Producer Pam Grimes was at the wheel and Tribune photographer Zbigniew Bzdak and I joined Steve hanging out the windows, furiously snapping photos of the vortex which was was nearly on top of us and appeared to be gaining ground. Somehow we managed to stay ahead of it as it eventually veered slowly into the vast expanse of the open fields so much a part of the northern Oklahoma landscape. There is grew in size exponentially, turning into a churning mass of rain an hail we estimated at more than a half mile across.
To our amazing guides through all this, extreme Jim Reed and Mike Phelps, with whom we plan to chase all week---JOB WELL DONE in positioning us so effectively and for keeping us safe!!!
MORE TO COME!!!
Hey Tom & Crew,
That was some great footage of the multiple vortex twisters that must be
so fun and daring to be out their. I hope to do that is my lifetime as well.
everyone be safe hope Jim Reed gets great photos.
Chuck Laura & Ryan Paschen
Round Lake Beach, IL
We were the guys just across the street from you all on 11. Boy, we nailed THAT one, eh? Glad we got that, and the little guys ahead of it, and not the stuff in OKC. Our tornado was pretty benign in terms of damage (property damage only, I hear) and a pure joy to watch.
Welcome to Oklahoma, if you don't like the weather, wait an hour, it will surely change.
What a way to get our little hometown(Medford, OK) in the news! Glad you guys are all OK. Getting the news in Topeka KS