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*Full video on YouTube* 5 months ago my friends & I were impacted by damaging inflow winds ahead of the Lewistown, IL EF3 that brought down the powerlines & trapped us in the path of the tornado, where we were then directly hit - So thankful to be alive (1/16) #tornado #ilwx
Just 4 days after the March 31st chase where I encountered an incredibly powerful tornado in SE Iowa, I was once again chasing but this time with a few other chaser friends from my area.
After being a little rattled by the previous chase I was hoping this one would prove (2/16)
After being a little rattled by the previous chase I was hoping this one would prove (2/16)
to be more…not that haha. But man…none of us were ready for what was about to take place.
On April 4th, 2023 my friends and I were heading down to the IA/IL border for a high warranted severe weather event.
As we approached the now tornado-warned storm, it became clear (3/16)
On April 4th, 2023 my friends and I were heading down to the IA/IL border for a high warranted severe weather event.
As we approached the now tornado-warned storm, it became clear (3/16)
we would have to cut through the storm's core in order to see any of the storm's updraft. This maneuver can be risky since we could encounter large hail or too close to an ongoing tornado. We ended up stopping just shy of the most intense part of the core, but were able to (4/16)
make it through just in time to witness the most insane storm structure + tornado combo that I’ve seen in a long time!
Right away we knew we were in the general path of the tornado and after only stopping for a minute we decided to leave as we observed how fast the (5/16)
Right away we knew we were in the general path of the tornado and after only stopping for a minute we decided to leave as we observed how fast the (5/16)
approaching tornado was coming towards us.
We originally thought we would head south but quickly forfeited that plan to go north/NE to avoid the tornado. We were about a mile or so away from the tornado as we turned north, and even though we were a little nervous (6/16)
We originally thought we would head south but quickly forfeited that plan to go north/NE to avoid the tornado. We were about a mile or so away from the tornado as we turned north, and even though we were a little nervous (6/16)
As we went north away from the tornado a strong gust of inflow (maybe an SVC) impacted the small area we were in and brought down the powerlines, which ended up trapping us in the path of the on coming tornado. And since the tornado was still a mile away we had to wait a (7/16)
full minute before we were impacted by it (which was honestly one of the worst parts of the whole experience for me).
The tornado at the time wasn’t fully condensed and seemed to be going north of us so I thought we might be okay. But we ended up getting directly hit on (8/16)
The tornado at the time wasn’t fully condensed and seemed to be going north of us so I thought we might be okay. But we ended up getting directly hit on (8/16)
the SE side of the tornado with intense RFD hitting us right after. Some of the windows were blown out, and the vehicle was totaled but we thank God we all ended up being okay.
While we were getting hit by the tornado I had an unusual peace that God gave me. And I just (9/16)
While we were getting hit by the tornado I had an unusual peace that God gave me. And I just (9/16)
knew we would be okay and even got a picture of angels holding the car down so we wouldn’t get flung in the air or rolled.
The tornado would later be rated an EF3 with winds up to 160 mph which is only 5 mph shy of an EF4 rating which were observed about 1.5 miles to (10/16)
The tornado would later be rated an EF3 with winds up to 160 mph which is only 5 mph shy of an EF4 rating which were observed about 1.5 miles to (10/16)
our SW before the tornado hit us. Thankfully our area had a rating of EF2 winds (120 mph) which still has the ability to roll and move a vehicle.
What’s even more crazy was the amount of debris hitting the car that didn’t end up being flung inside the vehicle. It’s a (11/16)
What’s even more crazy was the amount of debris hitting the car that didn’t end up being flung inside the vehicle. It’s a (11/16)
miracle none of us were hit by any of it!
On top of all of that, we ended up having a giant steel grain bin roll on top of the car right after the tornado had passed. Very thankful it didn’t cave the roof in!
Afterwards, we had a chaser who ended up knowing me and being (12/16)
On top of all of that, we ended up having a giant steel grain bin roll on top of the car right after the tornado had passed. Very thankful it didn’t cave the roof in!
Afterwards, we had a chaser who ended up knowing me and being (12/16)
from Minnesota who stopped by and assisted us in getting to a hospital (to be checked out) and a hotel which was a massive blessing!
In the end, we made some questionable decisions, learned a lot, and were just thankful to be alive.
So why has it taken 5 months for me (13/16)
In the end, we made some questionable decisions, learned a lot, and were just thankful to be alive.
So why has it taken 5 months for me (13/16)
to post the video? Short answer - it was a traumatic event for everyone involved, and we needed time to process everything before we felt like it was good to post it.
Why post the video at all?
Many reasons, to be open about what happened, to make other chasers aware (14/16)
Why post the video at all?
Many reasons, to be open about what happened, to make other chasers aware (14/16)
of the danger of how strong inflow winds can be (which I knew they could be strong…but man), etc.
Some final words: I learned a lot from this experience but I will never stop getting up close and personal with tornadoes. And I know I don’t need to say this but (15/16)
Some final words: I learned a lot from this experience but I will never stop getting up close and personal with tornadoes. And I know I don’t need to say this but (15/16)
zero metering a tornado is never my end goal.
You can check out the full video on my YouTube which shows better context to what happened compared to the short version I have on Twitter. (16/16)
You can check out the full video on my YouTube which shows better context to what happened compared to the short version I have on Twitter. (16/16)
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