7:00 am
Good morning.
I’m looking at the models and forecasts for today. Still looks like the I35 corridor is still the area, but the high risk area has shrunk a bit and moved a little farther north. Southcentral Nebraska is the highest risk area right now. But that could change as the day heats up.
The play will probably be off of the typical dryline-cold-warm intersection, but NWS indicates these storms could turn into a squall line, which are difficult to work around. Hey if it was easy we’d all stay home, right?
The dryline is currently in the panhandle and the front is still in Kanas, so I still have some time to decide my target and get there.
So, for now, I’m going to drink some coffee and finish getting ready. It’s going to be a long day.
8:04 am
The high risk area has been enlarged. It’s going to be later today before I’ll be able to pin-point an area. Late afternoon to early evening looks like the time-frame.
Packing gear now.
9:55 am
Gear is loaded. Making final preps to pull out. Chaser convergence is going to be an issue today. Thinking I’ll figure out where Reed is going to be and then pick another area. That’ll cut down some of the gawker traffic.
If this develops like we’re anticipating, this is going to be a dangerous situation. Seriously, if you’re not an experienced storm chaser, today is not the day to get out. Stay home.
10:25 am
Finally out of the house. Gas up and then we’re gone.
12:59 pm
Stopped in Billings OK for a RR break. Looking at the models and I’m thinking I’ll head towards Woodward. That’ll put me near the PDS watch box and I’ll have roads to get me any direction necessary. Wonder how the internet connection will be?
It’s windy here.
3:18 pm
In Anthony Ks right now. Heading back north. tornado warned cells to my west. Hope to intercept.
4:07 pm
In Kingman. Storms are beginning to pop to the west. Air is moist and unstable.
4:42 pm
On highway 54 near Pratt. Waiting here for a tornado warned storm. Nearly every storm popping up is producing a tornado. Timmer’s crew drove by with their entourage.
Looking west at storms approaching. As the storms got closer, the tornado was visible.
6:32 pm
In Kingman for petrol and some food. Stopped at McD’s for something to eat and the entire crew was outside looking at the storms to the north. I asked one of the guys if they were cooking tonight or storm chasing. Lucky for them the severe storm was to the north. Lucky for me they were cooking.
7:27 pm
Went after the northern storm but there’s too much traffic. Reed Timmer’s “travelling parking lot” making things dangerous. They went north, I’m going south.
Heading to my daughter’s house in Wichita. Will make my next move from there.
9:10 pm
Watching tornado warned cell on TV radar. It’s heading right for Wichita. Driving south to get out of the path and on the south side of the storm. The thing in huge.
10:18 pm
I’m south of Wichita and when I know it’s safe, I’ll head back north. Called my daughter to tell her to get into their closet. I’m glad they made the decision to go to her in-laws house and basement instead. I hated to leave them, but it was the best thing.
On the way south, I encountered heavy rain and hail. Must be close to the storm. Probably too close. The wind is gusting pretty good, but raining too hard to get out to get measurements.
At the truck stop, several folks have pulled off to wait out the storm.
10:36 pm Reports that a tornado has touched down in south Wichita. I’m turning around.
11:14 pm
Made it back to south Wichita. The last few miles of the highway was littered with bent and broken highway signs and other materials. The toll booth is dark and damaged. They’re unable to process turnpike fees and the attendant waved me through. It’s an eerie sight.
I’m at K15 and 47th street now. The Spirit Aerosystems plant is dark and debri is littering the property. Can’t tell if there’s damage, other than power lines. Traffic is picking up. I’m not sure if it’s people trying to get back home or gawkers.
Power line down in front of me. Called 911 to report it. Going to sit here with emergency lights on until power company or LE gets here. Line is about 3-4 feet above the pavement. Dangerous situation.
11:34 pm
Power company pulled in behind me and they’re going to block the road. I’m going to go down 47th street to the west to see if there’s damage there.
11:42 pm
Pulled into the parking lot of a tire shop. All of the glass windows are blown out. LE has Clifton blocked to traffic already and emergency vehicles are staging on the south side of 47th street. Power lines are down and there’s obvious building damage. It’s really too dark to take photographs, but here’s a couple.
11:55 pm
Resident in area says the Pinaire Moble Home Park was hit (they’re on Clifton, south of 47th Street.) They believe there’s multiple injuries. Ambulances are staging across the street and fire trucks are arriving. House on Clifton suffered damage. Roof fell onto the top of a red truck.
These two photographs were taken with my iPhone.
12:15 pm
I’m going to get out of the damage zone now. Once I’m out, I’ll make the decision on whether to chase another storm, find a hotel or just head home.
12:45 am
In Belle Plaine to get a cup of coffee. One of Timmer’s vehicles is here. Talked to Chris Chittick, I think he’s a videographer on Reed’s chase team. Told him how I chased tornadoes: “I find out where Reed is and then I go the other way.” We talked about the string of vehciles that chased with them and he said they usually lose a few once they get into the hail core. I had to chuckle.
Got my coffee and told the attendant to watch the squall line coming towards them. There’s still tornado warnings being issued to the west.
The radar isn’t showing anything major now. Spoke to my other daughter in Park City and told her I was going to head home. Her and her husband were at the Maranda Lambert concert in Wichita when the warnings were issued. She said they stopped the show and had everyone stay put.
There’s talk on the radio of a large tornado hitting Woodward.
3:47 am
I’m back in Tulsa. Drove 637 miles today, chasing 3 storms. Going to unload gear and then hit the sack. I hope everyone is safe.