The Most INTENSE Tornado I've Ever Live Streamed...

Wednesday April 2nd, 2025 brought me the most up close, in person, intense live video stream of a VIOLENT Tornado outside Lake City, Arkansas....This is the RAW footage from that stream.

[BrandonCopicWx]

CORRECTED UPDATE: After watching the video in .25 speed after the 13:25 mark it appeared the second trucker was hit.

I contacted emergency officials from the county and they confirmed his truck was hit (the guy who reported the guy was not was incorrect) BUT the good news is the driver is okay. They're working to get me in contact with him. Clearly if I would have seen it I would have flipped around but did not see it as it happened as that was my roof camera pointing behind me.

Also there were only 4 injuries in this tornado. Zero fatalities.

[damdamfino]

As someone in the warning zone of this one, having a livestream with visual confirmation before any sirens went off, long before phone emergency alerts went off, and before any weather channel could talk about my area was invaluable.

Edit: over the 3 days of tornado watches/warnings, our sirens went off at the beginning of the first watch, and believe it or not they ran out of “juice” and were inaudible by the 4th straight hour of being on. And when a siren has been going continuously for hours just for a watch, it doesn’t help you know when a tornado has actually touched down, esp when you’re in your safe place away from windows.
Everyone calm down

[jacobcarolan]

This is a contribution to the tornado video hall of fame. Absolutely incredible footage.

[xstuff]

I just wanted to point out the timings here, Brandon deserves MASSIVE respect:
He warned the second truck driver at 12:42 in the video, they were impacted at 13:25, that is 43 seconds.

Now consider that it appears the truck driver made some progress down the road between the warning and the tornado reaching their location, and also the tornadic wind field extends beyond the funnel. Brandon risked his life for two complete strangers with likely less than a 30 second margin for safety. That takes some serious courage!

[michaelisbell]

As a truck driver, I'm thankful you saved those drivers lives!

[Joycemac]

“Sorry lightening just struck the ground next to me” so calm, cool, and collected.

[Sansleftdimple]

Me and my family were watching Ryan Hall’s stream at the exact moment where the tornado crossed the street right in front of you, at about 5:29. We were left speechless bc we thought you had gotten swept up by the tornado when the feed cut out. Very relieved that you are ok! Continue doing your work, you are helping many people stay safe during these storms!

[MetalMike]

Textbook "When a tornado seems to stand still, it means it's coming straight for you". Epic footage, but dude... stay safe :-) Greetings from Holland

[KappaSigDAW]

Dude, I watched this live. And, i mean this with respect, you scared the f**k out of all of us. We have gotten used to you bringing us, thousands of us, weather from up close. Ryan Hall said exactly what I did, "He's too close". You are professional and I know you're capable and able to take care of yourself. We (the ones of us who watch every day you stream) will always support what you do, and you. Just know we, your community, really care about you. Thank you for all you do. Try not to scare us like that again, eh? :). Your pal from NC, DAW

[ericwollam]

This might be the actual scariest tornado footage I have ever seen in my life. I'm sincerely glad that you and, from the comments, everyone that was affected by this are okay.

[patrickparker]

Man this is one of the most horrifying yet fascinating tornado videos I've ever seen. You have nerves of steel dude

[natskar]

The way that it was so visible and scary and moments later just disappears into the rain is downright terrifying!

[marlamartinez]

I’m from Leachville, AR. Watching this made me sick. It’s over a week since this monstrous tornado went through our community. This is the first time I’ve seen it as it traveled right to and by my friend/former classmate’s house and destroyed it for yet another SECOND time. It was rebuilt after the 2021 tornado destroyed it. She told me recently that they will not be rebuilding in the same place again. Unreal!! Thanks for the footage that saved lives. Those truckers were very blessed that you were there.

[gavin.]

Some of the best footage of a tornado ever made. Nice job Brandon!

[pipeninja]

I live a few miles south west of Lake City. This big mother missed my house, to the south by less than two miles! I have a safe room in my home, and that is where my family was when this thing got close. We had no damage. It is a miracle there were NO FATALITIES in Lake City from this twister! This is an awesome video!

[MonsoonGeek]

3:22 The whole sky ripping around it while it’s grinding into the dirt. This is the most iconic footage in the last 10 years, this was insane to watch happen live!

[jessbahr]

Honestly one of the scariest nights of my life. Seeing video of it knowing it was only a handful of miles from my house is crazy. The fact that no one was killed is a miracle. Thank you for doing what you do man.

[devinmccutcheon]

This will become iconic. You saved lives that day. I hope you are proud of yourself. Outstanding job.

[j.parmer]

BRILLIANT FOOTAGE! I am only 6 minutes in and holy crap, what an experience. The side vortices! This thing was vicious and you ALMOST got too close and backed up at THE right time. Fantastic work, Brandon.

[patriciaholloway]

Brandon, you did an incredible job of getting footage, communicating with the team, warning drivers and townsfolk, all while keeping yourself calm and safe.
AWESOME WORK 👏