National Geo: Our Haunting Last Interview With Storm Chaser Samaras (killed Friday on duty)

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130602-tim-samaras-dead-storm-chaser-tornadoes-last-interview-weather/

Tim Samaras and his son died in Friday’s El Reno, Oklahoma tornado..

Jane J. Lee

National Geographic

Published June 2, 2013

This weekend brought the sad news that Tim Samaras, a high-profile storm chaser, was killed with his son in Friday's twister in El Reno, Oklahoma. For years, Samaras has driven into the heart of tornadoes, equipment in hand, to learn more about them.

Late last month, as tornado season was opening in Oklahoma, Samaras talked to National Geographic about what motivated him to engage in such dangerous work--starting with a boyhood viewing of "The Wizard of Oz." It was our last interview with him, and one of his final interviews before his untimely death.

Samaras, a National Geographic grantee known for getting instruments inside tornadoes to measure pressure and wind speeds, talked about what we still don't know about these devastating storms, why he chases them, and how he, his son, and others cope in close quarters during a storm chase.

Please share your reflections about Samaras and his work in comments.


FULL story at link.

[Submariner]

1. NatGeo is a crap Rupert Murdoch TeeVee station now

that dabbles in pseudo-science as well as movies based on Falafel Bill O'Reilly books.

These so-called storm chasers make News Corp TV bits to mimic the other goofy reality TV shows.

It's too bad they got killed, but they messed with mother nature at the wrong time.

[quinnox]

2. there is a saying, playing with fire

this reminds me of Steve Irwin. Sometimes, when you play with fire, bad things can happen. Its an unfortunate but stark truth.

[liberal_at_heart]

3. yes but sometimes to do great things you must take great risks.

Both Steve Irwin and Tim Samaras did what they did because they wanted to save animals or people. Firefighters, police officers, and military members, risk their lives everyday to save people. Just because someone puts themselves in danger does not mean they should not be recognized for their work.