©28storms.com
|
Stock Video Examples
Chaser Background Jason Moreland embarked on his first chasing endeavor at the adolescent age of 16. The opportunity to chase arose in August 2004 as Hurricane Alex quickly formed off the east coast. A series of road delays during the 900+ mile journey from New Orleans to coastal North Carolina prevented him from making it to the Outer Banks prior to the storm's closest approach. Despite this, the observation of the intense outer bands in Wilmington, along with prior Gulf coast storms, became motivation for future intercepts. In 2007, Jason began chasing severe weather more prevalently in the Southeast after enrolling in the meteorology program at the University of South Alabama. Hurricane Dolly and numerous tornado events, including the "Super Tuesday Outbreak," were some of the more notable experiences. Jason and fellow meteorology students, Trey Alvey and Nick Dole, combined their efforts and began chasing together in the fall of 2008. More funds were set aside for chasing as it became a bigger priority. By the end of the year, mother nature had already given the group a random show of severe, wintry, and tropical episodes including Hurricane Gustav along coastal Mississippi. Spring 2009 featured the addition of Collin Degnan and several more severe storm chases across Dixie. The first journey into "Tornado Alley" transpired in May 2009. While mother nature didn't demonstrate the best of firework displays, field members appreciated the observation of amazing storm structure; a sight that is hard to come by in the South's terrain and atmospheric conditions. The chase year ended in Gulf Shores with Ida, an unusually late tropical storm impact. The addition of Ryan Beesley continued expansion of knowledge, experience, and team effort. The group was poised for a break-out year in 2010. The first major severe weather episode of 2010 featured the deadly April 24th Tornado Outbreak, including the Yazoo City EF-4 Tornado. Although the tornado lifted just prior to reaching their location, the story lines stemming from the event made team members more compelled to chase. Chasing is a hobby, but it can also be a valuable learning tool and life saver for the general public if there is coordination with the National Weather Service. Efforts began to pay off in 2010. First, field members intercepted an EF-3 multivortex wedge tornado as it exited Wakita, Kansas, during the March 10th outbreak. A second tornado was intercepted on New Year's Eve. The team observed a rain-wrapped, EF-2 tornado as it crossed I-55 and struck Byram, Mississippi. The team rode out the tornado and subsequent RFD winds as the circulation passed less than a mile to the north. The surveillance of numerous power flashes and structural damage were relayed to the National Weather Service office. Moments later, the NWS upgraded their warning to a Tornado Emergency for the immediate area. It is unknown as to whether the 28storms report was directly responsbile for the issuance. Nevertheless, the group taken a lot of pride in doing everything possible to help warn people in the path of violent weather. The chasers began 2011 with a new sense of purpose and it couldn't have come at a better time. Spring 2011 would soon be known as one of the deadliest tornado seasons in modern history. Mississippi and Alabama were struck the hardest by the epic tornado outbreaks of April 15th and 27th. Hundreds of victims perished in these events, but chase members took pride in enhancing the warning process. Confirmed tornado reports were submitted immediately to the National Weather Service near Chatom, AL -- Forkland, AL -- Philadelphia, MS -- Scooba, MS -- Geiger, AL -- and Tuscaloosa, AL. The team also coordinated the production of tornado relief T-shirts, with all proceeds going directly to the Red Cross. On March 2nd, 2012, several supercell intercepts took place in southern Tennessee. It wasn't until the overnight hours, however, that a tornado was observed crossing I-65 before causing widespread damage in Verbena, Alabama. Members of 28storms were some of the first on the scene, and helped conduct search and rescue with local residents. Luckily, no lives were lost in the immediate area. Thereafter, numerous tornadoes were documented in Kansas during the April 14th outbreak. Fortunately, none of the tornadoes witnessed by the team were fatal. The long-term goals of 28storms chasing are to better understand the science, save lives in coordination with NOAA, and document nature's worst storms. Dozens of storm intercepts over the last six years, combined with prior encounters of severe weather and meteorological training, should allow the team to become more efficient in accomplishing those goals in the future. |
