An EF4 Tornado is chasing ME! March 31, 2023, Keota, Iowa

Help me replace my windshield!
Hit the "Thanks" button and drop me a couple of bucks if you like the video, or Paypal me a buck to my email, below, if you like this video. My car might need a little work as well. I rode it hard and put it away wet, that day.
[e-mail]
When the chaser gets chased: An EF4 is chasing *me*, and now I have to get out of its way.
Copyright April 2023. Contact me for any usage.
On March 31, 2023, I traveled to Washington, IA, to storm chase. A few hours later, I watched the entire process of a EF4 forming.
Pardon the static in the jump cuts.... I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of it. I believe it has to do with two different sampling or bit rates of sounds from different audio sources. If you edit video and you know what's going on, please let me know.
This was the first tornado that I had seen, in person. There was a previous tornado that I said I had "seen", and I'm clearly wrong. This was it. I can't get better than this.
I've been chasing about a dozen times before this.
Some post-editing notes: Can't apologize for shaky cam enough. That's me freaking out. I thought about using Premiere Pro software to "unshake" it, but that often results in fuzzy images.
Camera used: Canon RP, 18-40mm Canon lens
An older, Geko dashcam
Gnolkee "4k" camera
Tascam DR40
Leave comments. Be nice. I'm well aware that I was not prepared for what happened.

[@tfk_001]

Your first tornado was on a historic outbreak, completely photogenic, and massive. Brilliant first tornado if not mischased

[@johnabbottphotography]

The part of it that *STILL* blows me away is that I could see a catalog of tornadoes to choose from... and this would be the one I would choose to chase.

[@johnabbottphotography]

@nicholastv5543 Were you on the same tornado?

[@johnabbottphotography]

@ryansmith72182 Drop me a line, Ryan, if you want to do a live review of the storm and what you learned in 2023 with me.

[@corixcat]

The "Tornados, apparently, don't have faces." nearly took me out xD

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, Cori! I really felt that was my best line from the video. :)

[@MichaelMcClellanWX]

Ahoy there John, from your friend in the red sports car! I'm glad you nabbed your first big tornado; great footage, and keep at it. Here's towards a new windshield that will hopefully last another chase!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Michael! First of all, congrats on your footage... its amazing! So glad we both caught the same storm. That was just an INSANE day, and I can't fathom getting any better than that. I feel like I went out to shoot pictures of animals, and basically, photographed a unicorn. Thanks for helping me out towards replacing my windshield. Hope to run into you again under the same circumstances. As an experienced storm chaser, does it ever get better than this???

[@MichaelMcClellanWX]

@@johnabbottphotography Always down to help a fellow chaser; I know how expensive this hobby can be! I'm sure we'll meet out there again. It's hard to imagine getting that close to a monster like that again, but our chase experience is just starting. Let's keep our heads on tight and we'll have more tales to tell for sure.

[@babybirbs]

I really appreciate this. With all the chaser videos out there, it's really nice to see someone fairly 'new' who is 1) calm, 2) sensible, and 3) willing to admit when he's made a bad call. You're in a crazy situation where the adrenaline is pumping; it's exciting and, really, it'd be easy to try to push the limits to try to get closer/a better shot. It seemed that every time you started to do so, your good sense would kick in and you'd stop yourself. Really, that's impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing your next go!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you for all of this. I've seen far too many videos over the past week where chasers were behaving badly. One chaser stayed too long, took a bad turn down a dirt road (which I completely understand how it happens, now) and had his car flipped over and destroyed. (He's okay, and he made a great video as a warning to other chasers.) Chasing is an inherently dumb thing to do: we're trying to get close to one of the most destructive things that mother nature has to offer. Thanks also for the observation about my little voice kicking in. It didn't hurt that I had Tim Samaras book with me at the time, El Reno in the back of my head, and Reed Timmer's warning that the storms would be moving so fast that you wouldn't be able to get away, if you were ahead of them.

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

Also..dirt roads. Those sound like a nightmare to be stuck on.

[@Funz]

@@johnabbottphotography do you have a link to this video? id love to watch that (knowing that he’s okay)

[@johnabbottphotography]

@@Funz Yep. Here it is. Be nice to him. No one knows that he f'd up more than Chris. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5KbdZqFdpKgqJI

[@digby_dooright]

@@johnabbottphotography I want to go with you! I can hold the camera or something. I'm 12 but I'll be 13 in May! 🥳🤠🤯

[@dropkick79]

Glad to see you got the cinematic, "Objects in Mirror are Closer than they Appear" shot. Jurassic Tornado.

[@johnabbottphotography]

I forgot to reply to this! A screen cap of that shot has been my Facebook banner for months. I may never have a better screen cap.

[@Dani68ABminus]

I love your narration style, your voice, your calm, your humor, and your honesty. The fact that the footage isn't pristine really didn't feel like a negative. I was all in. Thanks for sharing your chase and I'm looking forward to the next one!

[@SassafrasPaul-cq7uw]

Totally agree!!

[@openeyesproductionsllc1598]

Well said. I completely agree with everything you commented on.

[@cake_for_breakfast]

Yep. You have a very natural tone for this content. I'm so jealous. I've seen a few tornados starting in Iowa but never a big boy like that. This season is starting our so wild I can't imagine what next year will bring. Twister, the movie, used to seem so Hollywood to me until 2023

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks so much, Dani. I think part of my 'calm' was that I couldn't even grasp what I was seeing.There I was, frustrated with my phone for overheating, and suddenly... I'm watching a tornado form in front of me. And then it grows into this beautiful, but destructive, monster... headed towards me? There was this moment that I couldn't get on camera, where I'm hauling butt trying to get away, and I look up to see, in my rear view mirror, a tornado crossing the road behind me? Words can't express.

[@johnabbottphotography]

@@cake_for_breakfast I wasn't truly aware of it, until I posted on Reed's feed that I had seen it, and he posted back that he was jealous. That's when it struck me that this one was special in a lot of ways. Thanks.

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

I chased storms for 20 years and I saw you do things that made my ass pucker up

[@W1ckedshort]

Bro, you truly have the makings of a great chaser. Calm, collected even under duress, and constantly adapting to your mistakes while not repeating them. This is already one of the better videos out there. Looking forward to watching your progress.

[@johnabbottphotography]

I thought I had responded, but thank you for this. This was about 30 minutes of a completely absurd day. I was getting chased by tornadoes (that weren't visible) for the next couple of hours, trying to outrun them. I kinda figured I had my fill of video for the day. I learned to much in such a short time span.

[@MysteriousMM]

We felt like we were right there chasing with you! This is the type of content legends are made out of!

[@Midnight24435]

There's a lot of lessons learned in this video, and while you may be a beginner storm chaser, you've got a very wise demeanor and a clear-thinking head on your shoulders. This is a dangerous profession/hobby. That said, you carried yourself like a professional should. You've clearly learned from the mistakes you've made and know how to address them going forward. There are many things I learned from this video and from your self-analytical approach. Consider me subbed; I look forward to more storm chasing videos from you.

[@openeyesproductionsllc1598]

ditto

[@commiecomrade2644]

Video made it *very* clear how hard it is to stay out of the way of these tornados. They're fast, unpredictable, hard to see, and you have to do something inherently dangerous - drive - in the worst conditions while avoiding them. The workload is akin to flying a plane and the consequences for getting things wrong are just as deadly. Gave me an all new appreciation for guys like Pecos Hank who really seem to know what they are doing and how to stay safe. There is a video where he gets snuck up on by a giant tornado. This gave me a similar sense of dread. Good stuff!

[@zacharysherry2910]

They aren't just faster than your car in traffic, they'll pull you back toward them!

[@00Banger00]

I think all of us can appreciate the simplicity and truth in the phrase "objects in iPhone footage are closer than they appear" ;) Well done! I look forward in following your journey, Great commentary.

[@hi.im.isaac10]

This was simply 20 minutes of me screaming "MOVE!!" at my computer lol. All jokes aside this was amazing and props for posting so others can learn from the mistakes made!

[@johnabbottphotography]

I don't blame you at all. At times, I was yelling MOVE at myself.

[@wpbarchitect1800]

That development segment starting at 4:05 is one of the best EF3+ tornado genesis pieces I've ever seen. As I find observing the meteorologic processes of tornado development (as well as those of the parent supercell) as interesting as the actual resulting tornado, I really appreciate you including this. Amazing job! Cheers.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you SO much for this! I didn't even realize I had video of it forming until I was halfway through the editing process, and watched the extended file. I was so focused on the "pretty" parts, that I didn't realize how much of the building process there was. I normally try to trim my videos down to the minimum to keep it moving. But when it came down to editing the one clip, I kept asking myself: Where, exactly, do I start? Do I start where *I* notice the formation of the tornado? Or right before that? That's when I came to the realization that as a record keeper of this storm, its not my place to judge what a meteorologist might find very important.

[@weathermanofthenorth1547]

@@johnabbottphotography Not only is it cool to watch the video of its growth, but it may also help to better forecasts in the future. I subscribed to you!

[@johnabbottphotography]

@@weathermanofthenorth1547 Brother, that would be the best thing that I could ever hope for. Its still weird for me to look back at the video of what it becomes, knowing that I was there for its formation.... and realizing it was just this tiny thing to start.

[@weathermanofthenorth1547]

@@johnabbottphotography It sure would! Seeing the development of a malevolent force is something else entirely.

[@tednielsen2915]

@@johnabbottphotography I saw quite a few videos of the beautiful structure of this tornado. This might be the only one I saw that showed the initial formation, certainly the only one from this point of view. Glad you included it.

[@fernpool]

So good. Hoping to comment to help with the algorithm. This made me laugh out loud quite a few times, I love the self awareness and something about the autofocus on faces thing had me in tears. Glad you are safe and got to see your tornado! Love the storm forming footage. Keep it up, i await any future tornado videos!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Oh man; the autofocus had ME in tears, because it wouldn't focus right! Thanks, Ruby.

[@2345allthebest]

Excellent video. Very easy to watch without the typical screaming and yelling - great commentary and analysis as well. If you stick with this hobby, you're sure to get better. Great way to start off!

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

Yeah agreed!

[@johnabbottphotography]

I was yelling in the inside. ;)

[@funkster007]

You may not be a pro chaser (yet), but there's no denying your well thought out and articulate commentary. You at least know your stuff. Keep up the excellent work and stay safe sir!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks! I truly appreciate the comments about the commentary. I think roughly 2/3rds of the people like it, while 1/3 outright hate it. I edited out a lot of it that I figured out was superfluous.

[@nirhymeswithhi4849]

@@johnabbottphotography Well, there's no kind of commentary 3/3s would like, lol. I liked it. It was a different approach than I've usually heard. I liked hearing your reflections on the chase.

[@angelat.8997]

I’ve chased for several years, but almost exclusively in the desert southwest, where lightning is the main show. Last summer, I finally made it out to chase in the Midwest, and it was fantastic. Like you, I discovered that although I’d done plenty of homework beforehand, I still made some rookie mistakes. I immediately called myself out on them, so I’d hear them on my videos later. I, too, am a solo chaser, which isn’t an easy task - especially when you’re still getting the hang of things. I’m too shy to post my videos to KZbin (I’m working on that!), but I wanted to commend your work. Your style is much like mine. This video is very well done. Keep up the great work!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, Angela! The Southwest Desert is fricking gorgeous, and its pretty much one great image after another. I hope you get yourself to just shoot video of all of it. My goal that day wasn't to be a solo chaser, but everyone who wanted to chase with me was busy. I'm fairly certain that they're all kind of annoyed right now. Veteran chasers were when I told them that I had seen an EF4. About posting your videos: Do it anyway. Know that you'll get a lot of criticism, and that the vast majority of it will be by people who don't post videos, or do anything. Listen to what works for you, and don't fear the judgement of someone who isn't out there doing things. Think of yourself as a baseball player who is just learning to hit the ball. Imagine what its like to be a professional baseball player? If you hit the ball one out of three times, you're considered great!

[@jordans4827]

Honestly, one of the better videos. Caught the tornadoes on camera, and added a runaway sequence! Good on ya!

[@AustinJonesStormChasing]

Wow, excellent story telling through video. Chasing as a beginner can be so intimidating, even without being barreled down on by a monster. You did an amazing job keeping a level head and getting yourself out of a tight spot. Keep learning and chasing and your going to have a really successful channel.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, Austin! Along with everything else, one of the things I learned is that a Ford Escape - even one with a 1.6L engine - can move faster than you'd think! ;) Now comes the hard part: I *started* with a low-end F4! Everything from here on in is going to be a "welp, its not a picturesque EF4. But I'll shoot it anyway."

[@kirmy1]

This is honestly a brilliant chase video. I really hope you do more my friend. The narration style, the information you give and the presentation were all really captivating. Great work.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you, Mike! On all of my videos, I not only want to take you on the trip along with me, but I want to make sure that everyone understands what I've learned along the way. I appreciate it.

[@pupstudio]

I consider this to be a VERY informative video! Chasing is definitely on my bucket list. As an air traffic controller in Atlanta center, I have studied WX from a controllers point of view. Not a chasers. I watch tornado vids every day, as it is of great interest to me. Your video is very very informative. Thanks for posting.

[@johnabbottphotography]

First of all, thanks for what you do Dave. Air traffic controllers are extremely underappreciated, as anyone who knows about the current shortage or is into aviation will understand. I've spent far too much time watching chasing videos, particularly Reed Timmer. It's been great watching him and Captain Vanover partner up. I was hoping to someday see an EF2. This was beyond my dreams.

[@studdaman420]

This video gave me one thought many times. "We should go now!" Also thought "Go faster!" A few times too. Lol

[@johnabbottphotography]

It turns out that my tiny Ford Escape can move much faster than I ever thought, in cases of emergency.

[@frostwyrm9412]

Even without the perfect camera settings, you have amazing footage of the tornado. But much more important, you made an honest video about your mistakes, your thought process and about everything you learned from your mistakes. Thank you for this video, it's one of the best I've ever seen regarding mistakes in storm chasing and learning from them.

[@ericromero9708]

You give off Peco Hank vibes✌️...stay smart and safe man.

[@katj3443]

I’ve subscribed, you ticked all the boxes for me. Added bonus your not screaming down my ear. But I also enjoy your explanation, and that fact that you acknowledge bad decision and how you intend to make it right. The footage is amazing, thank you.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, Kat! I'm not sure if I refrained from screaming because of how much I hate it when other people do it, or if I was just too shocked to grasp what I was seeing. What's weird to me is that you can hear me breathing on some of the clips. Which gives an indication of how quiet it was.

[@jadewytch2335]

I'm so happy to see someone chasing storms when I'm not there in my life yet; I get to live vicariously through folks like yourself. Thank you for showing us your mistakes and also showing that you can not only learn from them but others can learn from them as well. Also, it's very easy to be critical of our own videography, but considering it was your first chase and you ended up in some doosies of some spots, you did amazing and everything was pretty clear. Actually - my VERY favorite shot of that EF4 was the brief few seconds it was in your driver-side mirror. The mirror did not say "objects in mirror are closer than they appear", which would have simultaneously made me giggle and also feel some real fear.... Great job.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you jade! For the most part, I wasn't paying attention to exactly what I was shooting when I was driving. But as I was pulling my camera back into the car, I glanced in my rearview mirror and realized that it was the shot of a lifetime. Despite all of the chaos, the photographer in me realized that I would never get video like that again in my life. I hope you get a chance to chase, and I hope you get a chance to chase safely. Sometimes it's more about the adventure on the road than it is about the actual tornado.

[@thatdamnrogue]

I cannot say how much I appreciate the self-awareness while also teaching extremely important lessons that even experienced chasers can sometimes forget. This storm season especially has been absolutely crazy, reminding me of both 2011 and 2013. I think it’s important to be able to reflect on any mistakes one might’ve made to not repeat them later and possibly have fatal results. Have to say though - you got a really beautiful looking tornado for your first one. I also would hope tornadoes don’t have faces, heh. When you said that, it reminded me of the ‘dead man walking’ from I believe it was Jarrell?

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, TDR; as a photographer, I'm both completely aware that I have video of a completely beautiful tornado, and I can't believe that I didn't have the foresight to stop filming long enough to either take a picture, or call it in. (I'm not a certified spotter yet, but what the hell... you can still call 911) I feel like once you've watched a EF4 tornado form, you should be a certified spotter. Maybe its just me.

[@tedphillips7727]

Great recap of the situation. I appreciate your honesty. I have lived through a tornado hitting my home when I and my wife were in it. It was scary. And we had 5 total tornados go over or thhrough our home. Most people dont realize that if there is one it is not uncommon for a training effect to bring 2 or more additional tornados. The only question is if it is on the ground or passing overhead.

[@juno5756]

You have a great narrating style, and I know you pointed this out as a no-go at the end, but I actually loved the wide angle view of the tornado! The greater structures of these storms are so interesting and beautiful, and it's lowkey a shame that so many chasers frame only the tornado itself. But safety obviously comes first! There's no video at all without safety. Loved your editing style and what clips you chose to include as well. Great video! :D

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, Juno. I'm sure that was in the back of my mind when I started. But I would have loved to have seen the storm close up at some time. Maybe the next EF4 I see? :)

[@adrianam4120]

My nerves were on edge, John!! Thank God you're safe!

[@ElywinCarrinithshinyhunting]

El Reno is certainly a word to repeat to yourself if you start to feel lax or too comfortable around a tornado you are focusing down. That is for certain.

[@dustercat21]

This was just north of my uncle- thanks to the amazing social media meteorologists and chasers, i was able to keep him informed of what was going on around him

[@airportapplejuice9271]

This is a great video! Informative and I'm glad you are able to recognize your mistakes so you can stay safe in the future.

[@MrScott_e]

Dude! I must applaud your honesty as you narrate the events in this video. I cannot imagine what it would feel like. Great video. Thanks and stay safe.

[@johnabbottphotography]

The weird part of all of this is that you just saw the first 15-20 minutes of 2 hours of 'being chased'. I don't have video of the rest of it, because I was just getting hammered by bad weather for the next 1.5 hours. You know those storm warnings on my phone about "up to" 90mph winds? Imagine driving, and then seeing the tall grass in the field next to you go horizontal, and feeling it slam into your car. That's the kind of thing I ran into time and time again that day, worrying that I wasn't safe yet. So. Freaky.

[@openeyesproductionsllc1598]

ditto

[@tedphillips7727]

Thanks!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Hey... thank you, Ted! I appreciate it. If you don't mind, can I ask you how long it took to replace what was lost?

[@tedphillips7727]

@@johnabbottphotography it took about a year and over 600k to rebuild and replace damaged or missing contents. Our insurance company which was Nationwide did a great job taking care of us.

[@johnabbottphotography]

@@tedphillips7727 Geepers! Sorry it cost that much, but kudos to Nationwide! When an insurance company comes through like that, I want to make sure that they get credit for it.

[@alwaysreadin163]

That beast reminds me of the Rochelle/Fairdale Illinois EF4 in 2015 that a lot of people argue could have actually been an EF5 these both are MASSIVE!

[@johnabbottphotography]

It was crazy how quickly it was growing.Keep in mind, when you watch this, the tornado forming portion is in real time. I decided to leave areas where I was moving around the camera, just to give you an idea how quickly it was growing

[@ehenningsen]

Your honesty is a lesson of safety and humility for us all. Great footage!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you for your kind thoughts, and just the way that you worded that sentence.

[@twodigitscout9800]

This is my first ever "super thanks", but wanted to help support a potentially great channel in the making. Keep it up and stay safe.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you, scout! I've taken note of your leap of faith in me, and I'll try to earn it.

[@essaym7509]

Incredible content! It was exciting to watch, but also highly informative. I really respect the amount of effort you put into this video.

[@dogtrainerjen]

I love this! The voiceover made me laugh - and wasn’t incorrect! 😂 Hope you’ll post more videos now that you’ve learned some important lessons

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks DTJ! Next time, I'll try to not get in the way of a tornado. :o

[@dogtrainerjen]

@@johnabbottphotography 😂👍😎

[@MajinHercule]

I don't know why, but when I read this title, in my head I heard (in Will Ferrel's voice), as a tornado chases me, "Save me Bill Paxton! Save me Helen Hunt! Help me Carl Elwes!". All humor aside, you are doing something I have dreamed about ever since I was in third grade and read Night of the Twisters.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you. I dreamed of doing it for a long time, and just suddenly (a few years back) decided to start trying.

[@keithjamesrobinson4691]

I've watched about everyone you can name when it comes to chasing. You've got a great narrative way of talking through the chase and it's refreshing to see someone starting their journey, learning, and sharing mistakes. With the video itself from a viewer perspective, it's worth pausing footage now and then and bringing up the radar snapshots in fullscreen. Keep the narrative, it's really great to hear you talk through what you did, but also include your audio from the day. It's always good to hear your thoughts. Not sure what was going on with the sound at points but it sounds like a loose connection somewhere or something brushing against the mic. Keep at it buddy, safe chasing this year and I look forward to the next one.

[@johnabbottphotography]

There's static happening at certain edit points, and I can't find out what's causing it. I think part of it might have to do with two different sampling rates of different sources, but Premiere Pro is supposed to resolve that. It's not supposed to be an issue. After searching for a solution, trying to use crossfades, muting tracks, Etc, I couldn't find a solution. Thanks for watching, and I always appreciate the feedback.

[@Quasiblu212]

Refreshing chase video John! I love your dry humor and lack of spastic reactions....and I have to say you really threaded the needle between all those massive funnel clouds!

[@johnabbottphotography]

I have to make a separate video, now that the NWS had completed most of their surveys, about how MANY tornadoes I was near that day, unintentionally. It was wild.

[@derekconwaygd]

thats one of the most beautiful tornados i've ever seen, amazing work capturing this footage!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks dave! I agree. Part of what made the entire experience so so real is that I couldn't have hoped to have seen a more gorgeous tornado.

[@SteelRhinoXpress]

Tornado: I see you. You better run boy. I'm coming for you. 🚗🌪️

[@openeyesproductionsllc1598]

If everyone or some just donate $1 that can help with John's windshield and other adventures to share. All that donate, I can personally speak on John's behalf. He is an up standing guy..no shystering here.

[@kippnovak9833]

You sir just earned a like & subb...keep doin what you do...

[@wkkypkkypkKRZYradio]

the windshield wipers when he is in fast forward mode though...😂😂😂

[@cowboygeologist7772]

Thanks for posting.

[@alexspicer6043]

Awesome video! This is how tornado videos should be. So refreshing

[@johnabbottphotography]

Well, thanks, Alex. I appreciate that.

[@mrecto5187]

I live in Canada and i dream to do storm chasing. I intend too but take this really seriously and need to get some equipments. Thank you for those lessons, i will definitely keep them in mind. I’de love to do it with someone but living in Canada make this nearly impossible for me. Lol Awesome work John , you got a new subscriber.

[@randyroyston2461]

Great chase!!! You got some wonderful footage and it was both a learning experience plus a teaching lesson and you handled it perfectly. Good luck on the next one and I will be watching for it.

[@CatWoodman]

This is really great work! Instead of being cocky you were humble and realistic. NSC!

[@jinjin0135]

Well that was stressful! I kept yelling at u to drive faster!😅 Looking in the rear view at a monster tornado growing and moving rapidly right at u definitely raised my blood pressure for u! Please be safe!❤

[@johnabbottphotography]

After I install my new video card, I'm going to recut the main video to include some more of the "running from the tornado". I left a lot out to keep things trim in this cut.

[@paddedroom412]

The algorithm brought me here. Looks like todays severe weather potential is in Kentucky and Tennessee 04/01/24. Great video! I always want to see one in person but I live in Pennsylvania and our severe storms are pathetic compared to midwest storms. Grew up in Missouri and never saw a tornado but we had plenty of warnings.

[@Cubevanlife]

That’s a pretty funny and honest narrative from behind the camera.

[@fixman88]

Here's something for the new windshield. It's good to learn from your mistakes. Subbed.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you much! They're not extremely expensive, but not cheap. This is the second time I've had to replace one, and the first time wasn't even hail!

[@manifestgtr]

Don’t be so hard on yourself, man. You’re just green, that’s all…you learned some lessons that day and still got some pretty sweet footage despite the mayhem.

[@jenlynch5550]

Great job!! You are very entertaining and funny!! Just subscribed ❤

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, Jen! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jaykomedia9005]

You have a style like Pecos Hank. Very well done. Awesome!

[@johnabbottphotography]

I've had a couple people say that, although I haven't seen him yet.

[@tonyjanney1654]

I was in Washington that day as well. I had to drive to Cedar Rapids. As I left Washington, the sirens went off. The local weather warn took over the radio and was giving out storm tracks with "time on target" for the tornado. I was running about 5-10 minutes ahead, so I thought my best chance was to stay ahead of the storm. I got on Highway 218 and kept wondering if I should pull off. The radio kept telling me where the tornado was. It sounded like every haven, Riverside, Hills, Iowa City, North Liberty, Swisher, was on the storm route, so I kept heading north as fast as possible, keeping about 5 minutes ahead of the storm track projections. I could see the tornado wrapped in the clouds the whole way. The storm picked up and pushed debris that was falling on the Highway 218/I380. (Mostly cornstalks and leaves.) Made to my destination in CR. Just as I thought I was clear, the sirens went off and Cedar Rapids got hit by straight line winds. I guess the storm decided it was going to get me one way or the other.

[@johnabbottphotography]

It was such a crazy day. I had your experience going East, with multiple tornadoes hitting North and South of me the entire trip (just miles away from me). It was crazy.

[@squitsquat]

Appreciate the video and the honesty on your mistakes and general inexperience. Stay safe

[@headlessspaceman5681]

This guy went to the Prometheus School Of Running Away From Tornadoes.

[@chronically.advocating]

It's funny you should mention El Reno. This particular tornado is the first one I've seen wedge out that fast since the El Reno tornado. This was a rapidly developing, insanely fast moving, and violent wedge. You don't see these levels of violence or speed very often, and they're always a marvel to witness.

[@johnabbottphotography]

So, not only did I have Tim's book in my car at the time, and I already known about twistex, I had seen a number of videos on El Reno, explaining what went wrong. And the common theme was that even experienced Storm Chasers got cocky, and ignored their own instincts. You could hear some of them say that it was growing, and they wouldn't turn around quite yet. Like you said, the rapidity of which that tornado grew was concerning. I'm glad our thought process was the same.

[@d0m1n1kcz2]

That Tornado formed so fast, like damn, you look away for a second and suddenly its there

[@johnabbottphotography]

Right? That's part of the reason why I wanted to show how it evolved in real time. I feel very fortunate that my camera was running at the beginning, even though my camera work was so s*****. And the weirdest part about it was that it was so quiet when it was headed towards me. If you listen closely, you can literally hear birds chirping. It was windy out, but not any extreme sound that I could hear, or what I would expect. Not until the hail hit.

[@sharonabbott1099]

@@johnabbottphotography that's helpful info, because I always heard that tornados sound like trains. Now I know that just because it's not a loud whistle doesn't mean a tornado isn't coming.

[@kerrymompoint4424]

Oh my goodness, at the 11:03 mark, that tornado looked huge. I can only imagine what it looked like with your own two eyes and the weather conditions around you(wind speed, decibel level of the winds, temperature, pressure ). Not to mention just seeing the circulation intensify had to go from a moment of "awe" to terror. This was a really good video. Just glad you got out of their safely.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you, Kerry. It's been a month, and it's still a lot to grasp. Especially if you've wanted to see a tornado for a long amount of time, and then this is the first tornado that you've ever seen? And you managed to get video of it from its actual birth? I'm still kind of Blown Away.. pun intended

[@weirdalfan1980]

Tornadoes do not have faces, but if you are unlucky, they have legs. Dead man walking.

[@digitaldoc1976]

Your Ford Escape comment was world-class good tv, man! Well done production. Very well done.

[@johnabbottphotography]

It did its job. It's pretty impressive to know that it can move when it has to, with its 1.6L engine

[@digitaldoc1976]

@@johnabbottphotography You have a professional screen presence. Your post-production skills are exemplary. As a 35-year veteran in communication/marketing/advertising, I know talent when I see it. And, you got it, man. Now, go make us all proud we were here sub-5000.

[@johnabbottphotography]

@@digitaldoc1976 That's incredibly kind of you, Luke. Thank you. I'll keep at it, and I appreciate the pep talk!

[@Vermilleno]

Before you mentioned this, I realised the tornado was not moving. I screamed in my head 'WTF ARE YOU DOING? ITS COMING STRAIGHT AT YOU'. Terrifying.

[@wutzittoya]

Glad you made it out safe and learned from your mistakes, cant wait for a new video, hopefully with new ideas and not going over mistakes! Stay safe

[@jakobh6257]

Great video, thank you 🌪

[@mike7871]

Great Video John! I wasn’t sure if the rhythmic thumping I was hearing was your wipers or your heart beat😂

[@johnabbottphotography]

My heart was beating WAY harder than my wipers. :)

[@mike7871]

@@johnabbottphotography 🤣🤣Great Job!

[@-KingOfKhaos]

This is such a GREAT video! First, you actually did get good footage, even if it’s shaky at times, but most importantly for the LESSONS LEARNED … too many folks watch people like Reed or other well known chasers who have decades of experience and think they can do it because they do it (and make it look easy). As you found out, it’s far from easy… and when you find yourself no longer the chaser, but now the prey, task saturation becomes a very real thing. Very glad you managed your way out of this situation safely! Subbed and thumbs up for sure! Every big chase gets you another notch on your “experience belt”… hopefully new chasers will take your commentary on what not to do seriously. You sound like a serious student of chasing and I have no doubt we will see great things from your chases in the future! Stay safe!

[@tmiller00002]

Glad that you made it out alive......scary stuff....keep up the good work 💯

[@erinhayes8552]

Love the honesty. Love the chase.

[@Trygvar13]

That was a very interesting video. Your channel has been added to my list :)

[@Mrsournotes]

Not bad for a first chase, not bad at all. 🌪 I’m envious. Glad you’re safe.

[@johnabbottphotography]

To be clear, it wasn't my first chase. Just my first "success". Thanks!

[@cviller]

Thanks! Great video. Keep it up!!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you, Christoppher! I truly appreciate it.

[@mandelbro777]

Great effort for a first encounter and probably great advice.

[@mgratk]

Incredible video. I think plenty of your shots were just amazing. The genesis of that beast was amazing to watch and very instructional if people pay attention to it. As others have said this is a gripping and very informative video.

[@WynterVil]

Really great video!! Glad you got out safely.

[@kimt1054]

Around the 11:00 mark.....you should go back and ask that homeowner if they want to buy a framed picture of that scene. 😮

[@coashddjj294]

That was a very interesting video. Glad you came out of your situation ok. I'm sure you taught someone some lessons that could save their life. Your humility was refreshing, too, btw.

[@Ty_Klopper]

Great vid!!!

[@nightmare1010]

I liked the advice at the end, Very good chase!

[@ssaint565]

First off, you are even more nuts than I could have ever imagined. Second, I love you for being so. This is so flippin' wild and doubly scary. What a rush. I how it was everything you hoped it would be. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@thomasschwartz555]

Good words to remember 'El Reno El Reno El Reno'

[@Theospeak1]

Absolutely brilliant! Hope you'll do more of this. You're as much of a natural out of the studio as you are in.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, Ted!

[@loz9324]

this is a great video! fantastic work! subbed!

[@cindyboard7816]

Very interesting and great documentation of a scary event!! Glad you are safe!!

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks cindy!

[@o0o-jd-o0o95]

actually john, this type of video shows much better what the reality of the situation is. i can put myself in your shoes more easily and think "yup.. that is what i would be doing " lol . I have not seen a tornado in real life either but if I did I would probably have a high functioning stroke. At least the first few times I do see one

[@johnabbottphotography]

The term "high functioning stroke" is now my favorite term to describe my mental state at the time. Thank you. I appreciate that one.

[@Putz-sq8zm]

Omg great chase! I LOVE videos when the storm chaser explains the situations they were in. Amazing thank you!

[@paulchris5637]

Great job on the video! I’m with the guys on complimenting your calmness & pointing out your mistakes & not screaming in the vid. Kinda looks like you may have caught the tornado during a recycling phase. Which I believe it’s rare to see that phenomenon. I’m also a fairly new beginner myself. I chased my first tornado back on April 22, 2020. When a little over ½ mile wide low end EF3 struck the town I live in, Onalaska, TX. I took video of it as it was coming into town, but couldn’t chase much further, because of living in the heavily piney woods of East Texas & it was hard to see where it was at. But it was a long tracked tornado, over 30 miles on the ground according to NWS. But Reed Timmer would say “Never Stop Chasing”! Keep up the good work.

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks paul! From the tracking pattern on nws, the rain wrapped ef3 was winding down right about the time when I caught the ef4 spinning up. This turned out to be very fortunate. Because I believe by the time that the rain wrapped ef3 got to me, it was no longer a tornado. It did, however, dump a s*** ton of hail and Rain On Me

[@paulchris5637]

Check out Quad-States tornado of 2021. NWS said it recycled just northeast of the Mississippi River just north of the TN/KY state lines.

[@PocketKnaif]

this was an exhilarating watch! thank you

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thanks, WK!

[@you99tubejimking]

Excellent video!

[@nomadclient4047]

Bro, please be more careful because I wanna see you around chasing more tornadoes. 🌪️

[@rudyinvegas]

well done on the setup of the video, and love the interactions with other watchers. intense!

[@lancel71]

Very exciting! I'm glad you made it through!👍

[@johnabbottphotography]

Thank you! I'm coming up on the one-year anniversary, and I want to make sure that I absorb everything that I learned that day. I also want to celebrate that no one was killed in what was a fairly destructive piece of nature

[@San-zv2jo]

Great Work! You aknowlodged your mistakes and made such a good video! Keep it up, all success to you brother!