Sadly, 4 people lost their lives and 40 were injured yesterday as a rain-wrapped tornado struck a Boy Scout camp near the Hamilton/Monona county line in western Iowa, about 40-50 miles north of Omaha. Since this tornado was concealed by rain, it was likely very difficult to see the funnel approaching, which makes these tornadoes even more dangerous. TVN intercepted this storm about 10 minutes after the tornado touched down, but we could not see the funnel since it was completely wrapped in rain. DOW and TIV intercepted the storm earlier, and saw several small funnels rotating around the main circulation that were ripping trees from the ground only 50 yards away..
Here is a picture from TVN Stream #1 taken by Matt Van Every of a large cone funnel near Moville, IA, just north of the tragic tornado that struck the Boy Scout camp. You can see rain curtains wrapping around the funnel at this point, but shortly after this photo the rain increased in intensity and completely concealed the developing tornado. Please click the picture at left to enlarge and the funnel is much more apparent.
Below are some pictures of the TVN team and production crew while chasing in Iowa yesterday:
From left to right, Danny Whiteneck - shooter, group shot of TVN chasers and crew, Ryan Anderson - expert audio mixer dominating in the Missouri River Valley...
Below are the TVN chasers, Joel, Chris, and I...
And finally, from left to right, Chris Whiteneck -- our shooter/producer who shot some insane video of our probe deployment as a strong tornado was only 100 yards away blasting us with mud and debris, and Dustin Feldman, paramedic and PA..
Today, there is a risk for tornadoes over Southeast Kansas and northern Illinois. TVN is targeting the southern mode in Kansas, and we are currently heading east out of McPherson, KS anticipating explosive storm development in a few hours. Stay tuned for updates!
You guys have a very goodlooking team. Joel and Reed are definitely the hottest tornado chasers around ;)
It's a shame about the boy scout camp. When I first read it on cnn.com, my heart just sunk. It could have been much worse I suppose, but still... bad news :(
Posted by: Khristopher | June 12, 2008 at 06:01 PM
I would have to say I think Danny the navigator of the Scout is much cuter than Reed. And what is all that goofy stuff your paramedic is wearing?
Posted by: leopard banana hammock | June 12, 2008 at 08:29 PM
It was a really sad tragedy, how come in this technological age we are at the mercy of the elements. My heart goes out to the families of the boy scouts.
Looking at the pictures I am surprised it could sneak up on them, prehaps even more frightening at night.
As before watch the skies and play safe.
Rich
Posted by: Richard Cave | June 13, 2008 at 04:45 AM
I am from Newton,Iowa and when i had heard that the boy scout camp here in iowa was hit i was shocked by it.. every body here in iowa was affected by it... i had worked in walmart here in newton and a day after the tornado hit the camp we had started a fund raiser for the relief fund..
Posted by: Sara Burns | August 16, 2008 at 09:53 PM
hi reed ur so cute i want to meet u in person. i love to storm chase but i have know clue how to start. how much does it cost to ride with u guys for a week of how ever long u guys chase? u scared me in the last episode i was cring cuz i thaught u guys was going to get hurt or something.well i would love to meet u. its been my dream to storm chase and meet all of u guys and the other storm chasers like sean and the rest of them.i thaught it was funny when u got hit in the head by the hail i laughed and said ur crazy u had a goose egg on ur head i bet. i love u guys
Posted by: jessica | December 16, 2008 at 02:24 AM
Hello friends, chase storms for 9 years, I'm extremely passionate about made here in Brazil does not have many more already registered two and storms in general, ever since my little bigger dream is to be made in the alameda, in a season I love the work you do, now I have 23 years and hope to the 50 go at least once to the hall, well maybe I will in March to florida and wanted to know if you have a place in the group that is nen exchange for the tire of the car rsrs, well this is my dream, not the tire to be more so in the alameda. I have to purchase equipment and training need to be there if required.
Posted by: Rodrigo Gaspar | January 03, 2009 at 02:20 PM
Hi guys. Is this episode going to air on the show? I'm from Omaha, and I remember during the local news cast of this tornado, a reporter on a chase said that the TIV had just passed them. I've been wondering ever since when the episode would air!
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