This spring tornado season has came to a end and as I reflect on a historical year I stop and think about the lives that were lost. How I almost lost my life driving to a chase, The up’s and downs of the season. Going from near bust days and close calls to epic outbreaks across 11 states. Chasing is a brotherhood/sister and the pure joy of seeing mother nature at it’s finest and deadliest. I chase for the public and to help the warning process. This year just put what we do in even greater light, and I am proud of each and everyone of you that put him/her self on the line to make sure fellow human life had a chance to make it to another day.
My count this spring ended on June 20th with 5 Nebraska tornado’s, one was a long track EF3 that was really photogenic. I ended up seeing a total of 12 tornado’s this year but the most memorable day to me was on April 13th when Tushka, Ok was hit by a EF3 that killed 2 elderly woman. Unfortunately Aaron and I helped find the two ladies that were killed when the house they where in collapsed from the EF3 tornado. An elderly man survived in the same house, Aaron frantically tried to call for a helicopter for the man and with the help of the weather channel was able to get word out. The EMS and fire radio systems were out. Helicopter’s were not sent because of the storms but a ambulance was dispatched. That day will be with me for the rest of my life.
The fall season is just around the corner, spring will be here before you know it and I will be there again helping make sure our towns and cities are aware of severe weather. Aaron and I will make some changes and upgrade our equipment in the off season. We will have some exciting news about our future in the coming weeks and months. I want to personally thank everyone who followed us this past year. It was one for the record books!
Erik Fox
