Tim Samaras's Last Storm Videos | National Geographic

June 3, 2013—Tim Samaras spent more than 30 years researching tornadoes. Samaras submitted this footage to National Geographic in the weeks leading up to his death, as part of his last storm-research expedition. His son Paul and fellow storm chaser Carl Young also died in the El Reno, Oklahoma, tornado.

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Tim Samaras's Last Storm Videos | National Geographic

National Geographic

[ren_mid]

i honestly can’t believe it’s been almost 7 years. time flies by fast. i miss these men, they did so much for the tornado chasing community.

[LQBlckHwkDwn]

For those who are asking how this happened. They were tracking a very powerful tornado that became very unpredictable. The tornado suddenly grew in size, turned and accelerated toward them. I believe seven other chaser were hurt in this tornado and there is a video out on the net from a chaser that was a mile down the road from Samaras' vehicle. He barely made it out and was injured as well.

[as]

for the record the El Reno was basically completely unprecedented. the tornado at first looked pretty normal with a typical size condensation funnel, but what was unprecedented was that the entire tornadic wind field was quickly turning into one gigantic tornado - it was like the wall cloud sat directly on the ground. it quickly became apparent that the condensation funnel that looked like "the tornado" was just a subvortex, and the whole invisible, clear area all around it was the actual tornado. it doubled in size in less than 5 minutes, literally exploded in size out of nowhere. so you think you're in the safe zone, maneuvering around what is normally the tornadic wind field, and in a matter of 3-5 minutes, the entire 2.6 mile area around the tornado *is the tornado*. you can see this in Dan Robinson's video - in any other tornado he'd be a safe enough distance away, with some room for error - but he's a good 1.5-2 miles from the tornado center and is already being hit by massive tornadic winds and rain sheets, he literally barely made it out alive. any other tornado he would've been fine.

[TaBelieveKally]

imagine what was going through their mind while sucked up in the tornado ...damn man

[SujanKakumanu]

After meeting him at multiple presentations, I can genuinely say he was a great man who cared about what he did. Not only that, his sole goal was to research about these storms so he could save people. May he rest in peace.

[erselley]

One of my favorite moments from storm chasers was the day Tim's wife sent him a video of a tornado passing through their neighborhood in Colorado after he had unsuccessfully chased tornados for 24 hours. Can you imagine being on the road for 24 hours unsuccessfully trying to catch a tornado and you receive a video from your partner who put absolutely no effort into catching one but yet ended up with the amazing footage?

[xtremdansio]

RIP Tim Samaras Paul Samaras and Carl Young

[eightaaronn]

This tornado.. Once everybody realized how big it was, there was no longer chases.. Reed Timmer, Pecos Hank, Dave Demko & Heidi Farrar..
They weren’t chasing it, they were running from it, but Tim, Paul, And Carl. Didn’t make it out.

[MCPilot]

For anyone wondering what happened:

They had planned to set up equipment on 81, in the tornado's path, but were being caught up. Just before they got caught by the primary 2.6 mile-wide tornado, one of the subvorteces veered out to the side and hit them directly. Their car was mangled. Tim was found in the car with his seatbelt still on and the other two were found half a mile away by the road. So sad. R.I.P.

[TheRealestEric]

These men saved a lot of lives. They were remarkable human beings. RIP. Brave, fearless men.

[Offskew]

The general opinion is they never saw it coming, from what they know the Tornado made a sudden turn and no one would have had time to react.

[mitchelljohnleslie]

Tim Samaras November 12 1957 - May 31 2013
Paul Samaras November 12 1988 - May 31 2013
Carl Young May 14 1968 - May 31 2013

Richard Henderson June 6 1977 - May 31 2013

Never Forget Those Men Ever
Rip TWISTEX
Never Forget

[LeroyTwizzlers]

I'll never forget you Tim. You ignited my love for weather :(.

[nayshthegreat]

At least they died doing what they love... The best way to go

[majesticpotatotayteum]

I hope the family was able to heal from their losses. I loved storm chasers and can't watch it after his death

[Theamberdawns]

When I was in 7th grade my classmate invited me to her bday party, it was Tim's daughter. One of the most thrilling moments of the party was being able to check out his stormchasing van!!

[jodilevins]

Its just amazing how this could turn so fast. Tim was one of the safest people out there. He didn't take risks like Reed Timmer did or Sean did, he took his science seriously he just wasn't out there to see what he could find, he wanted to make the tracking of tornadoes easier for meteorologists to understand and be able to convince the general public to get out of the way of these storms that this was nothing to play with. Its so sad to realize its been almost nine years.... RIP

[luisrios]

It’s a coincidence I’m in here watching these clips, iv always been fascinated by tornadoes and storm chasers. Today marks the 10th anniversary of these brave men. RIP gentlemen.

[emilyf]

A team of true scientists that had such a great love of Mother Nature, but had even more respect for people. Some of these chasers I see REPULSE ME when they hoot and holler at a storm tearing up a home, and then in so sincerely state that they hope the owner isn't there or is OK

[johnmurphy]

To me Tim Samaris was the most haunting storm chaser of them all, it’s like he was spiritually connected to the raw power of nature herself, like the moth drawn to the flame a truly unique individual may he rest in peace