May the Forth Target - TX / OK

I sense that Hank has a good instinct where the line in the sand is drawn. His skill at sneaking up on tornadoes forming is remarkable. But I still have to laugh about the chase getting stuck at the pig farm. That's a CLASSIC!

Marti Masters

Just because we all pitch in $5/month doesn't mean you have to risk your life to film for us. Chase from behind an keep a safe distance. Tim Samaras was THE expert (supposedly) but you can't get out of the way of wide, tornado moving 60-mph. I don't want to "support" a dare-devil. Thanks!

You say that a lot “My wife is gonna kill me.” Lol

Michelleslbqueenbee

I actually prefer the view from a bit further back to get the tornado and the structure most of the time.

Celton

Yes, they are designed to lock up in high winds to avoid damage. They will spin themselves apart otherwise as the centrifugal force exceeds the tolerance of the blades or the tower sending them flying at high speeds in random directions, which considering how big and heavy they are is… less then ideal.

Celton

Shocked that it was a *different* tour company and not the usual suspect.

Wendy Jay

The tour group got roughed up a bit, minor cuts and bruises, but have an amazing and scary story to tell for the rest of their lives. They got lucky... this time.

Ryan Seek

I also saw a photo of you and my good friend, Paul Sirvatka, the Prof that got me started in the ‘90’s at COD.

Bryan Billenstein

I have the same sentiments Barbara. In the old days the Bear's cage was open country with a handful of veteran dare devils. Now it's a conga line. I can't imagine all these people have vast experience. I heard there was chasers and a tour group impacted but still haven't delved into all that news. But I'm not surprised. Times are a changin'

Pecos Hank

Brilliant. I played the exhausted card so Nat only punished me with her eyes. :D

Pecos Hank

See you next to the next one Jonny.

Pecos Hank

@Wendy, I also heard that they shut off if winds get to strong. I have video of a turning turbine getting hit. You can see one of the blades bend and then it stops whirling. There appears to be little damage, but I speculate there's some motor components that might be a little out of whack. Still amazing how well they stood up to that tornado. Lots of content to sort through.

Pecos Hank

@Mike, I paid going south with my windshield. Worth it.

Pecos Hank

Hank, I loved the video, amazing shots, but like Brenda I was whispering "You're too close, Hank" the whole time I was watching. I love seeing tornado videos and you're my favorite. But I've seen a trend lately where people are getting closer and closer to the center of circulation. I know we need the knowledge, but I'm afraid more peole are going to die storm chasing trying to get where you experts go.

Barbara Jeffries

Yeah, I would imagine they were shut off, but the others, which were farther from the tornado, were moving at least a little bit. I wonder if the wind was pushing the blades in so many directions at once that they couldn't move. How vulnerable they are would depend on how they are anchored to the ground and how deep the footings go, which I actually found information about (https://www.altenergymag.com/article/2010/04/in-support-of-wind-energythe-foundations-that-underlie-wind-projects/638). I seem to remember one of the bigger tornadoes hitting some turbines and damaging them badly (especially the blades), but not toppling them. But I could be wrong. I'm sure someone here would know.

Wendy Jay

Jewelry, too. Maybe a new car.

Wendy Jay

He needs to have some flowers delivered. And chocolates.

Sarah

Does your wife like flowers? You might want to buy her some on your way home! I always find that this helps me feel less homicidal when I want to kill my husband!! 🤣🤣🤣

Brenda

I read or heard they turn them off so there is a lesser chance of breakage or malfunction. I wonder if those windmills could become dislodged with high wind. That could be worse than Twister ot Monty Python flying cows.

Brent

Something I found confusing was that the windmill right next to you for the majority of the video was not moving AT ALL. The others farther from the path were -- just not that one, which I'd expect to be going crazier than Aunt Meg's metal sculptures.

Wendy Jay

Bear's cage....bear's cage...grab the coconuts! Cow! That was epic and a 9 on the pucker factor.

Brent

Great video, but the whole time I'm saying to myself - "you're WAY too close, you're WAY TOO close, you're WAY TOO CLOSE!" And then at the end of the video, you added the caption that says your wife is going to kill you . . . yes, yes she is! Seriously great capture, but your heart must have been pumping out of your chest at times!! I know my heart was racing!

Brenda

congrats on a hell of a successful chase! I’d have chased yesterday but the car repairs set me back a little more than expected. Onto the next tube!

Jonny Glessner

New video just posted to YouTube https://youtu.be/e-C0UFEe_ec

Pecos Hank

Hell Yeah man! Can't wait to see the close range shots!

Celton

Glad you are safe man, heard a lot of chasers got injured by this thing. I hope everyone is safe

Coop

I have a feeling you got very lucky spotting tornadoes tonight @pecos hank- heard daniel shawe checked out the tour van that got hit as well as did search & rescue.

Paul Sherman

You done good son, I fubared it by going to Paducah and then going east at the last minute instead of continuing south and the east. Watching some serious lightning right now at the big rest stop on 287. Heading home, head held down in defeat.

Mike Castles

Oh boy. You only say that when things got intense. Glad you're good; get some sleep.

Sarah

Hope you got some good shots today. I’m having Pecos withdrawals.

JShep

Glad youre safe

Alasdair K

Was on the Peducah-Crowell-Vernon cell. Still am. My wife is gonna kill me. 🙃

Pecos Hank