Maybe we should give storm chasers free, advanced emergency medical training so that they can follow these things (which they will do regardless) and best help people on the ground immediately after impact. You don't see ambulances following the storm...That's one thing I would be happy to give my tax or charity dollars to. Too bad so much of it is wasted on other things...
This is why I'll never understand why people are so excited for spring. Sure it's beautiful and warm, but THIS is what comes with spring too. I'd rather dig through 80 feet of snow during a blizzard than dig through rubble to find someone that I love.
I am hoping and PRAYING with all my heart that this season's severe weather won't be as bad, or at the very least that the tornadoes won't be such damn monsters. Hopefully nothing more than a EF2. Hell even an EF0.
So very sad. Bawled uncontrollably. Made me grateful for every single person and thing I have. Thankyou for your bravery and sharing this awful event with those who just don't know or understand.
Probably the most powerful video of a tornado I've seen. The debris falling down all around your vehicle, the proximity to that monstrous funnel, and seeing the devastation it caused immediately after it had happened. Unbelievable.
LOL When the guy said Independence, I thought "wait, we don't get tornadoes in Independence?!" Then it occurred to me that he meant Independence, KS not Missouri :)
No word's can really express the emotion of that day and the days that followed. But the shock on your face says it all for all of us who had to live it. Cause that's what we were in was shock. This video brought tears to my eyes and memories from that day back. It's because of people like you, who put your lives on the line chasing these things and reporting them, that people are warned and can take shelter. Thank you for all you do!
Very good video, really! But what horrific to see the part on the end. Damn, i have almost tears in my eyes on the end of the video. When i saw that cute little dog... so sad.. all the people homeless... what a disaster.
@knepperify you need to look at storm chasers the same as you look at firefighters. Not always a great situation but people volunteer to do it. People need to understand that not all chasers are thrill junkies, and most reports to the NWS are from chasers on the storm. Also most end the chase when they come across damage to help out. Think of them as multitasking first responders.
@1iiiiillllliiiii1 No you don't. Trust me. No you don't. We had more than 100 tornadoes in Alabama last year in a single day. Devastated the state. Over 250 dead. You don't want to be here during tornado season.
@MissMaddy881 So was Huntsville, Hackleburg, Madison, Harvest, Concord, Birmingham, Cullman, Hartselle, Phill Campbell, and many other cities and towns here in Alabama. We had two EF5 tornadoes and four EF4 tornadoes that day. Thank you for your sympathies. That's very kind of you.
Driving through the debris field of an EF-5 is neither useful, helpful or sane.
One of these days one of you chasers are going to get blown into the vortex of one of these things and we will find your camera memory card with your last moments on it.
You don't need to document such an event further.
1) See an EF-5
2) Run like hell away from it's path
3) Seek shelter underground in a concrete, reinforced structure.
It's weird thinking that, just a few minues ago, I was browsing Youtube looking for "cool" tornado videos...
Even though I know it would've been a horrific experience, seeing this video makes me wish I was there during the aftermath to help out. May God bless those who perished, their families, and people like you who helped out.
Iv'e been chasing storms for years and this video quivered my lips. What a horrible day. We're always looking for the big one. That day, there was more than bargained for. GOD bless those in Joplin and those effected.
I live in Wyoming, but I was on the phone with my father when the storm passed through southeast Kansas. My parents live in Girard, KS, but the storm ended up passing south of them. I remember looking at the Doppler images of the storm and remarking about the ridiculous "hook echo" on the southwest portion of the storm. When I heard that Joplin got hit, I was horrified, but not surprised. My thoughts are with those affected.
Intense shit man! I remember watching this thing on radar and looking at is unusual shape, but you could pick out a crazy big echo on it after it got organized!
Without question, the most remarkable and compelling video I've ever seen of a tornado and it's effects. Stunning. The people who shot it were incredibly daring, brave and compassionate. It would be nice to find out what happened to the little doggie.
So horrifying. But I have to hand it to you and your fellow stormchasers, Jeff. If you weren't out there documenting the storms and aftermath, we would be a lot worse off than we are now. Since I turned into a "storm-phile" back in the early 80's, I have seen vast leaps and bounds in forecasting and even home safety. We just have to pray that the people we lost in Joplin will teach us something to save others. Blessings to them and yourself. Be safe in the coming chase season!
This storm system was by far the most emotional one for me. It's hard not to cry seeing what people went threw. GOD Bless the survivors, just wish I could have been there to help you all.
@Sunburn2007 and if you were to abandon the car and take cover in a ditch outside or something, the helmet could protect you from falling debris. it's pretty simple... wearing the helmet gives her a bigger chance of surviving a day of stormchasing than not wearing one.
@Sunburn2007 well lets see... look at the car they are in- the front windshield has several cracks and on Jeffs side it is completely shattered, now look at all the flying debris around them and what would happen if a shingle or metal object flew into the driver side and hit kathy in the head..still laughing..hope not nothing funny about what happened here..
@MOSKII58 I wasn't laughing at the people on the ground, I was laughing at her. Wearing a helmet is a moot point in those situations; they will not stop shrapnel traveling in excess of a hundred miles per-hour from penetrating the helmet and your skull. If I could say why I know, I would. But trust me, its psychological relief, that's all it does for anyone, including her.
Incredible footage. I was in the great Illinois Plainfield Tornado, which was an F-5 as well. You have some crazy guts to follow it as close as you did.
I'm from Joplin and this is the only video which has made me cry from watching it. The tornado was only 2 blocks from my house (opposite side of the tornado at 130), but just thinking that while he is filming this and we're seeing power flashes, people are being thrown into debris, stabbed with metal and wood objects, and crushed by falling objects.... it's just tough....
@dribbledrabble The dog is fine...we located the owner of the little dog several days later. His story as well as the persons whom we encountered, their stories of survival and courage are on the DVD
Lord, all you ever see is what they show on TV, but you know whats really going on is 1 million times worse then you could imagine. thats horrible, poor people
the shock of being in it has only now started to wear off and seeing these videos takes me back. i didnt feel like i was being strong or brave i was just in survival mode and making sure my family was safe. i didnt realize it would effect me like this seeing it again. my dogs were the first thing i found when i went back home and the wall of grey that i thought was just rain was actually the tornado its just hard to believe i was that close and i didnt even get hurt.
Thank you for being there and for helping out. Joplin is my hometown and I barely missed the tornado by 10 minutes I was at 26th and Main getting ready to go into taco bell... Glad I left when I did other wise I would have been right in the middle of it. I never thought in a million years I would see anything like this happen in my town. I've heard so many stories and helped with the clean up and I even worked with BMS CAT at st johns hospital with the pack out and clean up there
Thank u so much for ur help I have family there my son was also visiting that turn 2 that day thank god he had a dance recidal and was in miami ok. Im in texas came 3days later when my husband got leave. Again thank u
The level of intelligence, professionalism and caring the Piotrowskis reflect represents a lesson for all chasers and anyone involved in any natural disaster. The stories of heroism in Joplin are legion. The people who live there dearly love their city and that was reflected in how they responded to this immense tragedy.
Tragic. You did good by stopping to help...most chasers just keep on driving, but you stayed and helped. That's a true chaser. Speaking of which, I need to find some wx apps for Mac, but GRLevel3 only works on Windows. Were you using a java program?
if u look close at 2:33 u see lighting outside of the tornado that was unreal i have never something like that before that torndao is way much bigger then the may 3 1999 tornado. omg yall unreal
@here4faves I totally get where you're coming from, but it's people like this that will someday make sure nothing like this ever happens again. The sooner we understand tornadoes, the sooner we can create technology to help save lives.
What happened in Joplin this past spring, broke my heart. I feel for the victoms of Joplin and what they went through. I hope there lives will get better. Joplin will come back, and will come back strong!
Our team followed this storm that day, and we got behind the tornado and never had a chance to get into Joplin with all the damage that was done. After seeing this video, I don't think I would of been able to handle myself as well as this man did. Thank you for this video, definitely a tragic piece of history.
You guys are amazing for what you do. Some people don't understand the full effect storm chasers have. Sometimes you guys are the first on scene and we are thankful you guys do the job you do. You put your lives in danger in order to help save others. God Bless you all!
I love how everyone's just like, "OMG THE POOR DOG! I DIDN'T CRY UNTIL I SAW HIM!" Sure, seeing the dog breaks my heart. But you know what REALLY made me sob? Seeing the lives of actual humans get flipped upside down.
Hard to believe this was the deadliest tornado in 64 years. It just doesn't seem possible in this day and age to have a death count in the triple digits. I feel bad for those who died and their families.
People, this is a tragedy. But thank God those F5 tornadoes are rare. Still, we all can't stand up against the power of nature. We haven't developed technologies that much that would help us resist stronger and stronger winds. Basements are not always the answer to safety. If you could imagine how it would be if we could live on Neptune...Compared to this, winds in Neptune are way more stronger than this. It would be a devastating extinction of the entire human race.
5:17 Yes. I am a guy that is not easy to make cry. That brought a tear to my eyes. All those people who think large tornadoes are beautiful need to watch this video.
Very sad...yea that same day we had about i believe 3 or 5 tornados happening in Tx on the same day...Just very sad and the weather is taking a big change on the world...
5:15 TO 5:34 WITH EDDIE WARMS MY HEART TO SEE HIS TAIL WAGGING HE WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE JEFF AND MY SYMPATHYS GO OUT TO OUR JOPLIN WE AS A STATE WILL NEVER FORGET MAY 22ND 2011
WoW... ...thanks for sharing this great footage.. This twister reminds me -more than any other- of the May3 '99 OKC Tornado.. It looks just as nasty and mean...
I remember Jeff being an OKC new reporter several years ago. Glad to bump into him on youtube..
Thank you for posting this. I live in Joplin and this goes to show you that tornadoes are not to be taken lightly. Especially since some of people that died were either standing outside trying to see it. Thank you.
@PlaguesMcGee Yep. Thats what I was doing. Standing outside watching for it. Yea its stupid I know. But we saw it coming on the KSN tower cam and when I saw how big it was I just assumed that there was no way to survive if it his us. So I stood on the front porch to meet my fate while the wife and son were arguing over which bathtub to to hide in. One good thing (sort of) is that I am SHOCKED that the toll is so low. (162) so now Im creating a shelter in the basment cuz I know you can survive
While I think tornadoes are beautiful the destriction it leaves behind are painful to see and hear. My prayers tot the entire community of Joplin. Can donations be made through an organization to help?
@callofduter5 me too!!! I can't believe I made it.. The tornado decided to shift slightly to the right.. a few yards from me.. had it not done that, I would not be here... Hard to wrap your brain around what happened here.. Still even today... I hope you and all your family were okay....as to others who lived through it.. Its hard to mentally move forward when we have to live in the town and see the destruction.. even with most debris cleared.. its still unreal...
@LovesBlakeiPie i know its tough be me and my family will survive and it was so close to hitting me but it turned right of me to. JOPLIN WILL REBUILD & WE ALL LOVE YOU JOPLIN!
Stunning first look video. I'm curious though, when you were talking about the location and the destruction while driving, we you on the phone with 911 or were you narrating for the video; or both?
The last few minutes of the video really show what I think all people need to see; that storm spotters/chasers arent all crazy thrill seekers; They're human people that often help aftewords. We never wish for this to happen, you know?
I live just an hour or so away and no one knew that there was going to be a tornado. Storm clouds moved in and bam! A tornado formed. They barely had any warning. We get storms all the time, so no one thought there'd be a EF-5 tornado.
I can't even imagine being in one of those houses with a tornado this large passing over...the thought alone is chilling. Was there a problem with the town turning on the tornado sirens? I mean it is clear the tornado has touched down and it causing massive damage and I hear no sirens.
@joshrich07 From the witness of survivors, they say the sirens went off for about 30 seconds BEFORE there was even a tornado touch down, and never came back on.
@Roxy3giraffe That's just ridiculous. What were they trying to save electricity or something? They should have been on for much longer than that, and much sooner. I mean I live in a tiny town in Illinois, like 1600 people, and when we have tornado activity we know in PLENTY of time. Clouds start swirling and they go off for at least 10 minutes.
Wow tha was a great video and a sad day for us joplin ppl..... Ill nvr forget the feeling i had when the tornado came thru and i felt its suction tryin to pull me up :( god bless joplin and evrryone else in america everythin jus seems to be happenin on thing after another.... We r def living n the last days of this system of things.
This is some of the most dramatic storm chasing video I have ever seen. This wasn't a storm roaming the empty plains, this was a tornado that affected thousands of people. You are extremely brave for getting that close and then dealing with the death and destruction afterwards.
We live in Oklahoma and we had to make a pic of a tornado and put an X on it and send it to Joplin people that REALLY got hurt along with a letter and they wrote back these words. Thank you so much! When your in a tornado as big as that you are never scared of one again. So no need to worry as ling as your in a safe stable room you WILL be fine. We bless your hearts and pray for this to not happen to ANYONE! Love The City Of Joplin.
This is the best video of the Joplin tornado that i have seen. I would be interested in buying the complete video when available. Please provide me with the info I would need to buy it.
We have been seeing a lot of very active weather lately. Major winter snow storms , destructive spring storms, brutal summer heat, and the hurricane season seems to be getting reved up. Maybe I am wrong, but thats just my opinion.
Ive been threw one F5 and never ever wanna see it again. Amazing what these storms can do. Great job you guys do. Wish we didnt have to go threw such things.
I survived the F5 tornado in moore oklahoma in 1999, i lost my house and my dog, i hoped and prayed to God that id never see this kind of thing again.... you are all in my prayers
must have been hard going through that, obviously for the people that lived there but also for those who assissted afterwards...you chasers saved a lot of lives that day; i hope to able to join y'all sometime soon. salutations from southeast PA, and hoping for the best for Joplin
NIST is scheduled to return to Joplin for a detailed study of the damage -- one of the things they are investigating is whether the EF scale actually is sufficient to assess the damage from this tornado. Wondering if, in the future, it will be rated an "EF6"...
my dad after the tornado had to lead the rescue team at iowa street and busted throw that pole with is toyota tundra and found atleast 10 people and only one had died
the car at 4:03-4:18, yeah i passed that same car while i was in joplin, let me tell you first hand that when i saw this car in the video and then looked at the pic on my phone, i couldn't help but tear a little bit, its still in the same place after 3 months
I noticed at :59-1:02 after you talked with the police officers and was pulling away...was that the tornado that was directly in front of you and did you notice it at that time at all?
@kamkerrym What you can't see in the video when Jeff is saying "the tornado is coming down right here" he is pointing to the tornado directly in front of us. We have more video of the tornado well in advance of the police officer...we were so surprised to not be hearing tornado sirens. This video will air in our DVD coming out soon.
@TornadoAlleyVideo You guys evidently saved a lot of people, since the police spotters didn't realize there was actually a tornado out there at that time, and without you, they may not have set the second siren off when they did. Many people think they are alive today because of that second siren! Thanks so much for all your help, keep it up!
Thank you for your coverage. I have bookmarked this video. Makes me cry everytime I see it. It was an evening none of us will ever forget. The ones of us that took cover didn't see the storm, just the after effects. This video is a healing process for me. Thank you.
The most horrible tornado damage i have ever seen, and I have seen a lot but the most mine blowing thing, is that this monster picked up a train engine and tossed it 60 yards we are talking over a half a million pounds. That was a very emotional day for everyone. God bless every one that had to live through mother natures worst. The weather service is very good at predicting tornadoes but they cannot predict the strength, have no idea if it will be a weak EF1 or a monster EF5.
We knew to seek shelter because of you and Kathryn. We barely made it into my dads basement before the 2nd siren went off. Our 7 children and us(3 adults) rode it through with Angels watching over us. You and Kathryns passion and strength helpe many.
Maybe we should give storm chasers free, advanced emergency medical training so that they can follow these things (which they will do regardless) and best help people on the ground immediately after impact. You don't see ambulances following the storm...That's one thing I would be happy to give my tax or charity dollars to. Too bad so much of it is wasted on other things...
jordanw2244 15 hours ago
wow, powerful video! It once again shows the importance of spotters and chasers such as this to increase warning times by even just a few minutes!
oceantides23 20 hours ago
This is why I'll never understand why people are so excited for spring. Sure it's beautiful and warm, but THIS is what comes with spring too. I'd rather dig through 80 feet of snow during a blizzard than dig through rubble to find someone that I love.
missmckinleyxo 1 day ago
I am hoping and PRAYING with all my heart that this season's severe weather won't be as bad, or at the very least that the tornadoes won't be such damn monsters. Hopefully nothing more than a EF2. Hell even an EF0.
missmckinleyxo 1 day ago
@missmckinleyxo There was a F4 yesterday in Indiana.
LordTaFurious 14 hours ago
Nothing, absoultly nothing can recreate that day, or the feelings that went along with it.
God bless.
loveya1119 1 day ago
This is an extremely horrifying video. Mad respect for you and your wife for catching all this on film.
My heart goes out to anyone that was affected by this F5 tornado.
bstenslokken01 1 day ago
So very sad. Bawled uncontrollably. Made me grateful for every single person and thing I have. Thankyou for your bravery and sharing this awful event with those who just don't know or understand.
shari689 1 day ago
the most HUMAN video of the tragedy I have seen. God bless you for caring.
cmoursler3 2 days ago
Probably the most powerful video of a tornado I've seen. The debris falling down all around your vehicle, the proximity to that monstrous funnel, and seeing the devastation it caused immediately after it had happened. Unbelievable.
XxseanlfcfanxX 2 days ago 2
I was fine through this video until I saw the dog. Then I lost it and started bawling.
RapturedSomber 2 days ago
My heart goes out to Joplin. I can't imagine going through something like that. I'm so sorry they had to go through that :(
XSidSChikX 2 days ago
You can literally see how ENORMOUS the tornado was in the sequence from 2:31-3:09.
vanni9283 3 days ago
OMG. I can't EVEN imagine. God bless Joplin, MO
gaylover211 3 days ago
DAMN NATURE, YOU SCARY
AtzengamerMemphis 3 days ago
LOL When the guy said Independence, I thought "wait, we don't get tornadoes in Independence?!" Then it occurred to me that he meant Independence, KS not Missouri :)
StarFighters76 4 days ago
This made me cry towards the end, nature can do some terrible things
itsdaniyeaa 4 days ago
No word's can really express the emotion of that day and the days that followed. But the shock on your face says it all for all of us who had to live it. Cause that's what we were in was shock. This video brought tears to my eyes and memories from that day back. It's because of people like you, who put your lives on the line chasing these things and reporting them, that people are warned and can take shelter. Thank you for all you do!
03proudmama 4 days ago
this was absolutley horrifying
Mr01271976 5 days ago
Very good video, really! But what horrific to see the part on the end. Damn, i have almost tears in my eyes on the end of the video. When i saw that cute little dog... so sad.. all the people homeless... what a disaster.
explorerhighpass 1 week ago
The end of the video is so eerie because he's yelling if anyone needs help, yet it's totally silent. That gave me chills.
sbessette91 1 week ago
@knepperify you need to look at storm chasers the same as you look at firefighters. Not always a great situation but people volunteer to do it. People need to understand that not all chasers are thrill junkies, and most reports to the NWS are from chasers on the storm. Also most end the chase when they come across damage to help out. Think of them as multitasking first responders.
Twisted1MN 1 week ago
I like dogs
DUBSAC 1 week ago
2012 season approaching!!!!!!! Wish I lived in Tornado Alley.
1iiiiillllliiiii1 1 week ago
@1iiiiillllliiiii1 No you don't. Trust me. No you don't. We had more than 100 tornadoes in Alabama last year in a single day. Devastated the state. Over 250 dead. You don't want to be here during tornado season.
woodpryan 1 week ago 4
@woodpryan I feel bad for Alabama. First, Enterprise was hit. Then, Tuscaloosa was hit.
MissMaddy881 5 days ago
@MissMaddy881 So was Huntsville, Hackleburg, Madison, Harvest, Concord, Birmingham, Cullman, Hartselle, Phill Campbell, and many other cities and towns here in Alabama. We had two EF5 tornadoes and four EF4 tornadoes that day. Thank you for your sympathies. That's very kind of you.
woodpryan 5 days ago
EPIC!!
wopstar100 1 week ago
Driving through the debris field of an EF-5 is neither useful, helpful or sane.
One of these days one of you chasers are going to get blown into the vortex of one of these things and we will find your camera memory card with your last moments on it.
You don't need to document such an event further.
1) See an EF-5
2) Run like hell away from it's path
3) Seek shelter underground in a concrete, reinforced structure.
4) Stay there until it passes.
This was known 100 years ago, no need to improve
Knepperify1 1 week ago
It's weird thinking that, just a few minues ago, I was browsing Youtube looking for "cool" tornado videos...
Even though I know it would've been a horrific experience, seeing this video makes me wish I was there during the aftermath to help out. May God bless those who perished, their families, and people like you who helped out.
metalstorm91291 1 week ago
Iv'e been chasing storms for years and this video quivered my lips. What a horrible day. We're always looking for the big one. That day, there was more than bargained for. GOD bless those in Joplin and those effected.
IronfistAmerican 1 week ago
Holy crap, did that crack the windshield? Or was it already like that?
LeApplePie 1 week ago
why do they make the houses so flimsy? i bet a f1 would do damage
1amycav 1 week ago
@1amycav An F1 would do damage. That's how they get rated. But an F1 is nothing compard to that.
nickthestick26 1 week ago
I live in Wyoming, but I was on the phone with my father when the storm passed through southeast Kansas. My parents live in Girard, KS, but the storm ended up passing south of them. I remember looking at the Doppler images of the storm and remarking about the ridiculous "hook echo" on the southwest portion of the storm. When I heard that Joplin got hit, I was horrified, but not surprised. My thoughts are with those affected.
midesti 2 weeks ago
the aftermath was very real and disturbing, I wasn't expecting to see all of that.
devon1116 2 weeks ago
that girl to scared to storm chase
rapperboy306 3 weeks ago
wow.. i cant believe this.. undescrible. im so happy they have almost rebuilt everything.. i will never forget that day-3
loveya1119 3 weeks ago
Intense shit man! I remember watching this thing on radar and looking at is unusual shape, but you could pick out a crazy big echo on it after it got organized!
duckfan447 3 weeks ago
oh my god. this is scary stuff. it really is like a monster! like fuckin godzilla geez
ghostfacekhila 3 weeks ago
I would love to go tornado chasing one day
99waterlife 3 weeks ago
Without question, the most remarkable and compelling video I've ever seen of a tornado and it's effects. Stunning. The people who shot it were incredibly daring, brave and compassionate. It would be nice to find out what happened to the little doggie.
Simply incredible.
basketballblueblood 3 weeks ago
Poor people, poor doggy :(
pweaker 4 weeks ago
God bless you for being there for those people.
guitargluv 1 month ago
Hiroshima without the fire
Buasop 1 month ago
So horrifying. But I have to hand it to you and your fellow stormchasers, Jeff. If you weren't out there documenting the storms and aftermath, we would be a lot worse off than we are now. Since I turned into a "storm-phile" back in the early 80's, I have seen vast leaps and bounds in forecasting and even home safety. We just have to pray that the people we lost in Joplin will teach us something to save others. Blessings to them and yourself. Be safe in the coming chase season!
Wizzardgirl 1 month ago
This storm system was by far the most emotional one for me. It's hard not to cry seeing what people went threw. GOD Bless the survivors, just wish I could have been there to help you all.
terun1978 1 month ago
I can't believe just how many buildings one tornado destroyed...8000 buildings...can't think of another tornado that's even come close to that
Brian211978 1 month ago
@Sunburn2007 and if you were to abandon the car and take cover in a ditch outside or something, the helmet could protect you from falling debris. it's pretty simple... wearing the helmet gives her a bigger chance of surviving a day of stormchasing than not wearing one.
sakau2007 1 month ago
Why is she wearing a helmet? LOL
Sunburn2007 1 month ago
@Sunburn2007 wearing a helmet during a tornado could save your life.
sakau2007 1 month ago
@Sunburn2007 well lets see... look at the car they are in- the front windshield has several cracks and on Jeffs side it is completely shattered, now look at all the flying debris around them and what would happen if a shingle or metal object flew into the driver side and hit kathy in the head..still laughing..hope not nothing funny about what happened here..
MOSKII58 1 week ago
@MOSKII58 I wasn't laughing at the people on the ground, I was laughing at her. Wearing a helmet is a moot point in those situations; they will not stop shrapnel traveling in excess of a hundred miles per-hour from penetrating the helmet and your skull. If I could say why I know, I would. But trust me, its psychological relief, that's all it does for anyone, including her.
Sunburn2007 1 week ago
Kathryn does a fantastic job filming.
astrantia2k 1 month ago
dell macbook?? whoa.
skiboy895 1 month ago
2:48 be quiet!! lol
TheWolfBlitzer 1 month ago
How tragic,my heart breaks watching this unfold on your video
mgrella63 1 month ago
Tornado from freaking hell yo...
stsars13 1 month ago
MASAKAGA
dagochampion2 1 month ago
why is she wearing a helmet?? lol
aNyWildAngel 1 month ago
@aNyWildAngel To protect form head injury in case they are hit with debris.
auntstacey123 1 month ago
@aNyWildAngel because it could save your life?
sakau2007 1 month ago
Wow, you have guts.. You have HUGE guts to get that close to that monster...
tony10980 1 month ago
Incredible footage. I was in the great Illinois Plainfield Tornado, which was an F-5 as well. You have some crazy guts to follow it as close as you did.
simongarth2001 1 month ago
I'm from Joplin and this is the only video which has made me cry from watching it. The tornado was only 2 blocks from my house (opposite side of the tornado at 130), but just thinking that while he is filming this and we're seeing power flashes, people are being thrown into debris, stabbed with metal and wood objects, and crushed by falling objects.... it's just tough....
avaiae 1 month ago
God, it's like the place was nuked. And just look at the range of destruction, that thing had to be like a mile wide.
Leidern 1 month ago
@dribbledrabble The dog is fine...we located the owner of the little dog several days later. His story as well as the persons whom we encountered, their stories of survival and courage are on the DVD
TornadoAlleyVideo 1 month ago 12
This is one of the most sad videos I've seen about Joplin......So no sirens?
MrFreddy2189 1 month ago
@MrFreddy2189 That's so bad!
MrFreddy2189 1 month ago
Lord, all you ever see is what they show on TV, but you know whats really going on is 1 million times worse then you could imagine. thats horrible, poor people
NiteOwl1224 1 month ago
the 8 "dislikes" have no heart.
bflat1997 1 month ago
the shock of being in it has only now started to wear off and seeing these videos takes me back. i didnt feel like i was being strong or brave i was just in survival mode and making sure my family was safe. i didnt realize it would effect me like this seeing it again. my dogs were the first thing i found when i went back home and the wall of grey that i thought was just rain was actually the tornado its just hard to believe i was that close and i didnt even get hurt.
nsramir82 1 month ago
i cant belive u got so close!!!!
SuperNorfolksouthern 1 month ago
I've never cried so hard in my life. That was horrific.
LuckyStar12495 1 month ago
I lived on the street they are crossing over at 3:29, total devastation! Sends shivers up my spine watching this!
justbecause2014 1 month ago
Everyone that came out and helped thank you so much. Joplin is slowly rebuilding but it will take alot of time.
deadpoetswish2009 1 month ago
Thank you for being there and for helping out. Joplin is my hometown and I barely missed the tornado by 10 minutes I was at 26th and Main getting ready to go into taco bell... Glad I left when I did other wise I would have been right in the middle of it. I never thought in a million years I would see anything like this happen in my town. I've heard so many stories and helped with the clean up and I even worked with BMS CAT at st johns hospital with the pack out and clean up there
deadpoetswish2009 1 month ago
Thank u so much for ur help I have family there my son was also visiting that turn 2 that day thank god he had a dance recidal and was in miami ok. Im in texas came 3days later when my husband got leave. Again thank u
Zebraprintpaintjob 1 month ago
The level of intelligence, professionalism and caring the Piotrowskis reflect represents a lesson for all chasers and anyone involved in any natural disaster. The stories of heroism in Joplin are legion. The people who live there dearly love their city and that was reflected in how they responded to this immense tragedy.
waynebrasler 1 month ago
Tragic. You did good by stopping to help...most chasers just keep on driving, but you stayed and helped. That's a true chaser. Speaking of which, I need to find some wx apps for Mac, but GRLevel3 only works on Windows. Were you using a java program?
tehmattbookpro 1 month ago
one tough dog.
2LTime33 1 month ago
if u look close at 2:33 u see lighting outside of the tornado that was unreal i have never something like that before that torndao is way much bigger then the may 3 1999 tornado. omg yall unreal
jingman3 2 months ago
Wow, really makes me want to mourn, this is really devastating!
tom57926 2 months ago
my mom was born an raised in joplin and i went there to clean up and rebuild and it was heartbreaking
mywwerules 2 months ago
To live where these things happen over & over & over is....I N S A N E!!!
townkevin59 2 months ago
@here4faves I totally get where you're coming from, but it's people like this that will someday make sure nothing like this ever happens again. The sooner we understand tornadoes, the sooner we can create technology to help save lives.
RosieIsRight 2 months ago
What happened in Joplin this past spring, broke my heart. I feel for the victoms of Joplin and what they went through. I hope there lives will get better. Joplin will come back, and will come back strong!
rjl1184 2 months ago
Our team followed this storm that day, and we got behind the tornado and never had a chance to get into Joplin with all the damage that was done. After seeing this video, I don't think I would of been able to handle myself as well as this man did. Thank you for this video, definitely a tragic piece of history.
xxikayixx 2 months ago 12
You guys are amazing for what you do. Some people don't understand the full effect storm chasers have. Sometimes you guys are the first on scene and we are thankful you guys do the job you do. You put your lives in danger in order to help save others. God Bless you all!
jawalters1234 2 months ago 2
Terrifying. God Bless
bchs98 3 months ago
God Bless Joplin indeed.
BLSCass 3 months ago
I love how everyone's just like, "OMG THE POOR DOG! I DIDN'T CRY UNTIL I SAW HIM!" Sure, seeing the dog breaks my heart. But you know what REALLY made me sob? Seeing the lives of actual humans get flipped upside down.
R.I.P Will Norton. <3
YourVoiceWasTooLoud 3 months ago 2
I live in Joplin, Mo and I am a survivor of this tornado!
I'm soo Thankful for people like Jeff & Kathryn- Who risk their lives in order to warn others! :)
sexyliltiffany26 3 months ago 2
is the window cracked?
AllInOneProduction 3 months ago
I was in joplin nov 6, 5 months after...still to this day the destruction is unreal, may god bless joplin
mkk2496 3 months ago 2
OMG a dog, hope the dog is ok have that cruddy storm
PrincessBubblegum88 3 months ago
@pikmin554513 4:05 look at the way he walks
pikmin554513 3 months ago
Lol, helmet vrs. a half a mile brick of wind shear.
MrCaptain221 3 months ago
Hard to believe this was the deadliest tornado in 64 years. It just doesn't seem possible in this day and age to have a death count in the triple digits. I feel bad for those who died and their families.
stlouisrocker100 3 months ago
I will never forget.
DoctorCatface 3 months ago
People, this is a tragedy. But thank God those F5 tornadoes are rare. Still, we all can't stand up against the power of nature. We haven't developed technologies that much that would help us resist stronger and stronger winds. Basements are not always the answer to safety. If you could imagine how it would be if we could live on Neptune...Compared to this, winds in Neptune are way more stronger than this. It would be a devastating extinction of the entire human race.
Lineage231 4 months ago
When chasing tornadoes, there are good days and bad days. An active day can be either one.
I can't imagine being one of those chasers, busting their butts to get warnings out on this storm, only to be the first to recover the victims.
AtarahDerek 4 months ago
5:17 Yes. I am a guy that is not easy to make cry. That brought a tear to my eyes. All those people who think large tornadoes are beautiful need to watch this video.
ezmake343 4 months ago
@ezmake343 agreed dude.
EASlol 2 months ago
let me know when ur dvd is out love to watch it !!!
paul000108 4 months ago
Very sad...yea that same day we had about i believe 3 or 5 tornados happening in Tx on the same day...Just very sad and the weather is taking a big change on the world...
draskjudd 4 months ago
Dude u were in debre zone and dang look at the glass
draskjudd 4 months ago
Is the dog okay I just love dogs wahhh I'm crying!!;( good for u to:) god bless all those in Joplin !
cheerextreme2by2 4 months ago
God bless you both. You risked your lives to save those in need.
SuperRedbaron221 4 months ago
Is the dog ok? Thats horrible, my heart goes out to Joplin :( You guys did an incredible job!
XSidSChikX 4 months ago
I had it together until the dog was crawling out of the flipped car. There are no words.
ndpitch 4 months ago 37
@ndpitch yeah, that just broke my heart.
EASlol 2 months ago
@ndpitch i know i was so close of crying:(
pfunky1234 1 month ago
@ndpitch I know, me too.
auntstacey123 1 month ago
This is so horrifying :(
My Respect to Jeff and Kathryn ..
Stay Safe
GermanyStormchasing 4 months ago
OMG, this is heartwrenching. Amazing the destruction Mother Nature can cause in a few short seconds. You two are angels.
NickCO303 5 months ago
one thing to say about you jeff,respect is due x
novaturbkkk 5 months ago
5:15 TO 5:34 WITH EDDIE WARMS MY HEART TO SEE HIS TAIL WAGGING HE WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE JEFF AND MY SYMPATHYS GO OUT TO OUR JOPLIN WE AS A STATE WILL NEVER FORGET MAY 22ND 2011
finntroll98 5 months ago
WoW... ...thanks for sharing this great footage.. This twister reminds me -more than any other- of the May3 '99 OKC Tornado.. It looks just as nasty and mean...
I remember Jeff being an OKC new reporter several years ago. Glad to bump into him on youtube..
watcherman65 5 months ago
Thank you for posting this. I live in Joplin and this goes to show you that tornadoes are not to be taken lightly. Especially since some of people that died were either standing outside trying to see it. Thank you.
PlaguesMcGee 5 months ago
@PlaguesMcGee Yep. Thats what I was doing. Standing outside watching for it. Yea its stupid I know. But we saw it coming on the KSN tower cam and when I saw how big it was I just assumed that there was no way to survive if it his us. So I stood on the front porch to meet my fate while the wife and son were arguing over which bathtub to to hide in. One good thing (sort of) is that I am SHOCKED that the toll is so low. (162) so now Im creating a shelter in the basment cuz I know you can survive
nanerrat 4 months ago
makes me sad everytime I watch it. Thanks for the good video of the tornado.
doctortalk121 5 months ago
While I think tornadoes are beautiful the destriction it leaves behind are painful to see and hear. My prayers tot the entire community of Joplin. Can donations be made through an organization to help?
fanaticbattery80 5 months ago
Unbelievable
. I live here, and my home was 1 mile away. Why not me? Why them? =(
mikeaj92 5 months ago
when i saw the dog that was when i broke down and hugged my dog that was right next to me :(
shelimarc 5 months ago
This is why I have joined the skywarn team. To help save lives.
justinmoss101 5 months ago
these two are my favorite storm chasers, because they really care about people, and arent just chasing storms to be called a storm chaser...
HighTechVigilante 5 months ago
man this is so sad and what makes it more sad is that i live in joplin
callofduter5 5 months ago
@callofduter5 me too!!! I can't believe I made it.. The tornado decided to shift slightly to the right.. a few yards from me.. had it not done that, I would not be here... Hard to wrap your brain around what happened here.. Still even today... I hope you and all your family were okay....as to others who lived through it.. Its hard to mentally move forward when we have to live in the town and see the destruction.. even with most debris cleared.. its still unreal...
LovesBlakeiPie 5 months ago in playlist More videos from TornadoAlleyVideo
@LovesBlakeiPie i know its tough be me and my family will survive and it was so close to hitting me but it turned right of me to. JOPLIN WILL REBUILD & WE ALL LOVE YOU JOPLIN!
callofduter5 5 months ago
Stunning first look video. I'm curious though, when you were talking about the location and the destruction while driving, we you on the phone with 911 or were you narrating for the video; or both?
The last few minutes of the video really show what I think all people need to see; that storm spotters/chasers arent all crazy thrill seekers; They're human people that often help aftewords. We never wish for this to happen, you know?
tjperkins88 5 months ago
wow ur windshield is cracked up
pspman2007 5 months ago
I live just an hour or so away and no one knew that there was going to be a tornado. Storm clouds moved in and bam! A tornado formed. They barely had any warning. We get storms all the time, so no one thought there'd be a EF-5 tornado.
brittlat93 5 months ago
I can't even imagine being in one of those houses with a tornado this large passing over...the thought alone is chilling. Was there a problem with the town turning on the tornado sirens? I mean it is clear the tornado has touched down and it causing massive damage and I hear no sirens.
joshrich07 5 months ago
@joshrich07 From the witness of survivors, they say the sirens went off for about 30 seconds BEFORE there was even a tornado touch down, and never came back on.
Roxy3giraffe 5 months ago
@Roxy3giraffe That's just ridiculous. What were they trying to save electricity or something? They should have been on for much longer than that, and much sooner. I mean I live in a tiny town in Illinois, like 1600 people, and when we have tornado activity we know in PLENTY of time. Clouds start swirling and they go off for at least 10 minutes.
joshrich07 5 months ago
Wow tha was a great video and a sad day for us joplin ppl..... Ill nvr forget the feeling i had when the tornado came thru and i felt its suction tryin to pull me up :( god bless joplin and evrryone else in america everythin jus seems to be happenin on thing after another.... We r def living n the last days of this system of things.
ApeyLuLu 6 months ago
wow cool
zilla2006able 6 months ago
windshlieds like broken
KingzLegit 6 months ago
This is some of the most dramatic storm chasing video I have ever seen. This wasn't a storm roaming the empty plains, this was a tornado that affected thousands of people. You are extremely brave for getting that close and then dealing with the death and destruction afterwards.
TBirdSCIL 6 months ago
Wow! This was insane!
FractalBolt 6 months ago
when i saw that dog i cried
mrGOBLUEGOBLUE2412 6 months ago 2
Just another reason why I moved to the central California coast (used to live in Tornado Alley).
AFCYBER 6 months ago
We live in Oklahoma and we had to make a pic of a tornado and put an X on it and send it to Joplin people that REALLY got hurt along with a letter and they wrote back these words. Thank you so much! When your in a tornado as big as that you are never scared of one again. So no need to worry as ling as your in a safe stable room you WILL be fine. We bless your hearts and pray for this to not happen to ANYONE! Love The City Of Joplin.
Now when there is a warning I read this note.
longandloveless 6 months ago
This is the best video of the Joplin tornado that i have seen. I would be interested in buying the complete video when available. Please provide me with the info I would need to buy it.
djones2401@gmail.com
rdjones69 6 months ago
We have been seeing a lot of very active weather lately. Major winter snow storms , destructive spring storms, brutal summer heat, and the hurricane season seems to be getting reved up. Maybe I am wrong, but thats just my opinion.
zyon788 6 months ago
Ive been threw one F5 and never ever wanna see it again. Amazing what these storms can do. Great job you guys do. Wish we didnt have to go threw such things.
justkiddin08 6 months ago
I survived the F5 tornado in moore oklahoma in 1999, i lost my house and my dog, i hoped and prayed to God that id never see this kind of thing again.... you are all in my prayers
tornadochaser14 6 months ago
must have been hard going through that, obviously for the people that lived there but also for those who assissted afterwards...you chasers saved a lot of lives that day; i hope to able to join y'all sometime soon. salutations from southeast PA, and hoping for the best for Joplin
14point0 6 months ago
You guys are heroes. Thank you for what you did to help the people in Joplin.
hakkaikakashitsugaya 6 months ago
Your a happy couple
adubes98 6 months ago
NIST is scheduled to return to Joplin for a detailed study of the damage -- one of the things they are investigating is whether the EF scale actually is sufficient to assess the damage from this tornado. Wondering if, in the future, it will be rated an "EF6"...
lilapsophobe 6 months ago
my dad after the tornado had to lead the rescue team at iowa street and busted throw that pole with is toyota tundra and found atleast 10 people and only one had died
jsacbibit 6 months ago
the car at 4:03-4:18, yeah i passed that same car while i was in joplin, let me tell you first hand that when i saw this car in the video and then looked at the pic on my phone, i couldn't help but tear a little bit, its still in the same place after 3 months
WWEChrisHBK 6 months ago
my freind lantz hare died because of this tornado
1KaratTop1 6 months ago
This video made me cry...expecially when the dog crept out from the car, just put me over the edge
morquinn 7 months ago
Really moving video especially the end.
fatboyfromdamidwest 7 months ago
OMG the dog survived at the end haha :):):)
MrGSWAGG92 7 months ago
Gosh that is a huge twister!!!!
MrGSWAGG92 7 months ago
I noticed at :59-1:02 after you talked with the police officers and was pulling away...was that the tornado that was directly in front of you and did you notice it at that time at all?
kamkerrym 7 months ago
@kamkerrym What you can't see in the video when Jeff is saying "the tornado is coming down right here" he is pointing to the tornado directly in front of us. We have more video of the tornado well in advance of the police officer...we were so surprised to not be hearing tornado sirens. This video will air in our DVD coming out soon.
TornadoAlleyVideo 7 months ago 4
@TornadoAlleyVideo You guys evidently saved a lot of people, since the police spotters didn't realize there was actually a tornado out there at that time, and without you, they may not have set the second siren off when they did. Many people think they are alive today because of that second siren! Thanks so much for all your help, keep it up!
lilapsophobe 6 months ago 2
Thank you for your coverage. I have bookmarked this video. Makes me cry everytime I see it. It was an evening none of us will ever forget. The ones of us that took cover didn't see the storm, just the after effects. This video is a healing process for me. Thank you.
illdieforyou 7 months ago
That is without a doubt the best footage I've seen of the joplin tornado!
ILuvMyTrucker1 7 months ago
This is both the most amazing and horrifying tornado footage I have ever seen.
Thanks for the video.
RipTheSystem33 7 months ago
The most horrible tornado damage i have ever seen, and I have seen a lot but the most mine blowing thing, is that this monster picked up a train engine and tossed it 60 yards we are talking over a half a million pounds. That was a very emotional day for everyone. God bless every one that had to live through mother natures worst. The weather service is very good at predicting tornadoes but they cannot predict the strength, have no idea if it will be a weak EF1 or a monster EF5.
Jgraupp99 7 months ago
wow i have tears in my eyes. excellent footage Jeff Patroski
FloridaSeverWeather 7 months ago
i love how shes wering a hekmet
OliviaLexishow 7 months ago
Poor dog
XDtriplesplitXD 7 months ago
4:42 - on just broke me up. That woman crying and the dog are just too much
maggieboo7 7 months ago
TO JEFF PATROSKI(sp?)---
We knew to seek shelter because of you and Kathryn. We barely made it into my dads basement before the 2nd siren went off. Our 7 children and us(3 adults) rode it through with Angels watching over us. You and Kathryns passion and strength helpe many.
Thankyou
Starlightpoint 7 months ago 20