NIGHT TORNADO: Intercepting a night time tornado with flying debris in Texas.

[@SconnieKayaker]

Hello Daniel, My name is Mike Thornton. I am the Emergency Management Director for Tillman County where this footage was taken. Soon after this incident, you made a report to Spotter Network about damage which then popped up in NWSChat. I was the one who called you soon after to get more information on what had happened and if you had seen other significant damage as I was performing severe weather operations in the county that night. The next day I performed 100 miles of damage surveying all across Tillman County. I am glad to see that you turned around when you did as the tornado caused EF-1 damage not far from where the trailer that hit your vehicle was found. Not even 3 miles away I also had Hollister, Frederick, Davidson, and Grandfield Fire Departments fighting a grass fire. They came within a mile of being struck by the tornado. (Absolutely no shelter out there) In addition to this, the town of Frederick was without power for 15 hours as a result of significant wind damage. May 31st was an absolutely wild night for Tillman County. One I will never forget!

[@DanielShawAU]

Thank you for the detailed report. I was very worried about those fire-fighters. It was a close call for them and I did what I could to verify this night tornado. I never saw it, but certainly felt the outer perimeters of it. I knew when to stop, just wasn't expect the "debris" or in this case a trailer to come flying into me.

[@DanielShawAU]

Now that we know there was confirmation, it appears that I was just on the southern edge of the tornado. RFD winds were to the south. Radar however had the tornado to my NNE. So radar matching / timing to GRL3 did not match. Careful and slow approach was needed. (Debris was my primary concern) But it was open farmland with power lines to the right. You never really know what surprises can "appear" in these situations.

[@SconnieKayaker]

@@DanielShawAU well, I had a good feeling that something was on the ground after I saw the couplet on GRLevel3. We also had confirmation of a wall cloud from a spotter in Davidson. With that being said, you reporting that damage to spotter network definitely got my attention because after I hung up the phone with you and the severe weather passed I was directing the sheriff and other deputies to that area to further investigate potential damages. So I really appreciate that report. The good news is the damage pretty much stayed to just power poles. We did have one mobile home destroyed, however, it was a vacant home to my understanding. All the firefighters were safe. They were unable to receive communication from me about the incoming storm due to a lightning strike to our radio communications. I did not find this out until the next morning. I don't think my heart has ever raced as much as it did that night given how close we were to a serious incident. But, we live and learn! From one chaser to another, stay safe out there this year and if you're ever in Tillman County again before severe weather starts, feel free to visit me at my office at the law enforcement center in Frederick.

[@shanem9608]

That was crazy, for a moment there I thought he had reversed into someone, nope trailer blown across the road. It does show these storms aren't to be underestimated.

[@mzdrizzle]

And think of all the factors that had to line up for the trailer to be there at the exact right time to impact his car, and they line up more often than you’d like.

[@PecosHank]

What are the odds? 555!

[@DanielShawAU]

Just got confirmation today, it was in fact an EF1

[@marksmith4582]

Wonderful catch Daniel! Welcome back to the USA! I’m glad I found your channel a couple of years ago! Nothing like a good storm chase in the American Heartland! With full respect always for you and your channel! I hope your stay in the US this year will be worth your time while you’re here! I appreciate you! Mark in Iowa USA.

[@obsidianwing]

he is in the USA since April

[@jackijordan3079]

They breed our Aussie men tough with a tiny bit of craziness thrown in there as well.😲😉

[@shaysmith5513]

My heart may have stopped for a minute. You’ve become my favorite chaser and we’ve already lost too many good ones. Stay safe out there!

[@stormangelus6638]

RIP Tim Samaras and Team Twistex.

[@AllStraysAreWelcome]

Q: Why did the trailer cross the road? A: To become 'KZbin famous' by crashing into the most professional storm-spotter and experienced responder to grace this country during tornado season. (Glad you're safe, sir.)

[@phoenixxprime]

Glad you're okay, mate. I live in Norman, was watching the couplet pop up on radar and heard the reports of a trailer being blown across OK54 live on the air, can't believe it was you!

[@bethf1111]

Holy crap dude that scared the hell out of me when that trailer smacked into your vehicle. Crazy stuff, glad you're okay.

[@catherinehubbard1167]

That was terrifying, a monster in the dark. I’m so glad you’re all right. Did you ever find out more about the tornado that caused this, or was it a straight-line wind front? I bet it reminded you of your experience with the El Reno tornado.

[@JesseBGlass]

If you look right in front of him on the road at 1:06 to 1:08 you see the tornado for a split second and again to the left of the road at 1:39 tp 1:41 right before he says he's turning around.

[@anthonygarland8839]

@@JesseBGlass did the lightning lit it up I seen an faint cone right in front of him

[@lilithlove7]

Glad you’re ok

[@91rattoyota]

Wow Daniel! I've also been caught in very strong RFD's and they are nothing to mess around with. Glad you got out of there safely.

[@jenlynch5550]

Omg!! That’s was crazy!! Glad you are ok!! 🌪️

[@findingfifth407]

That was earlier tonight? It scared the crap out of me. I don’t know how you kept so incredibly calm. And that’s not a small trailer either. Glad you are ok but how damaged is the RAV? Did the side airbags deploy? Unlike your hail screen there is no side protection screen yet invented for runaway trailers.

[@obsidianwing]

Poor RAV , but we're glad you are ok. What a crazy Night. This Car is really a Protecting friend. This freaked us out on Livestream.

[@mzdrizzle]

Ralph is his guardian angel, prove me wrong

[@stormangelus6638]

HOOOOOO Daniel, I saw that truck come across your front and about had a heart attack for you! You've got one hell of a guardian flying with you! If you'd kept going forward, I think you'd have actually gone into the tornado. I'm glad you're okay!

[@mzdrizzle]

He’s basically a human barometer. His instincts are extremely good and keep him out of a lot of trouble.

[@brianmyers8350]

Wow, clenched, may your journeys be safe!

[@aussiedazvk4djh889]

That was very close Dan.

[@ItsOnlyNiall]

Scary stuff! Glad you made it out alright.

[@johngoguen361]

Thank You Daniel for your storm chaseing expertise you just seem to power threw the worst of it,Thank You

[@anthonygarland8839]

I never been in an RFD after seeing this I dont even wanna experience that the winds really remind of the day I was in Missouri with my mom and her ex husband fixing too leave too town I seen an white wall dead silence as soon we got at the end of the driveway all hell broke loose trees were snapping and the windows busted open except my room

[@mzdrizzle]

You should look up the video Dan Robinson took while he was escaping the El Reno tornado. Ludicrous RFD bursts his rear window.

[@anthonygarland8839]

@Pat Luxor I was way too young but I do remember very well

[@anthonygarland8839]

@@mzdrizzle I seen him escaping it he said the winds blown his back window out that's scary enough

[@danfacteau227]

Glad you were ok from that rfd blown trailer..stay safe and thank you for your heroic chasing

[@NikoStorm]

Awesome footage!!

[@patriciamartin160]

Happy your safe that's a bad storm

[@denisedengel-payne1347]

Crazy. Thought it was traveling beside you for a minute.

[@mzdrizzle]

4 Minute Horror Stories: The Trailer that Drove Itself

[@rebelbelle62]

Crikey! That scared the heck out of me! Then your like" I'm alright it's just a trailer " . I grew up with these storms, and let me say you must have nerves of steel.😅

[@Notanee]

I am glad you were uninjured and lived. Those moments can make your heart stop beating for a few moments. Fight or Flee comes. Glad you are alive Daniel.

[@lillianblair6071]

Hello Daniel. That would have been very scary driving along and not expecting something like that to come at you. Glad you are okay and hope the RAV ain't too badly damaged. Stay safe.

[@tehkitfox]

at 3:32 during the flash is that a funnel in the top left? 🤨 were you driving like parallel with it?

[@azdaze227]

That storm sure was nice, turning you around so you could drive away from the tornado

[@EastPilbaraWeather]

Left us curious about the damage assessment! Hope all ok mate.

[@mzdrizzle]

He posted it on Twitter! The panels above the front left tire are caved in. Same place he got hit by a tree a few years ago. No chassis damage, pretty much just cosmetic.

[@runswithbeer]

Damn Daniel!!! I hope you're OK Mate!

[@C.L.190]

Damn! Did that trailer hit your car?? You have such cool footage like this. You're one of my favorites 🌪♥️

[@LilJigglypuff999]

Glad you’re okay. That trailer hitting the RAV made me jump.

[@cgwalker7722]

Whoaaa !!! That’ll pucker that but hole up!!!!! This reminds me of Twister 🌪

[@Jake-vq5kr]

Wow, that was intense!

[@launchpad6484]

Hi Daniel remember me six fun years next year you`ll see me again we had a stovepipe in our city Dam we were lucky back to work for you next year Daniel . The Great White North . Darrell

[@marciaperryWI23]

Glad you’re ok! Hope the Rav is ok too. The hazards of storm chasing! You never know what’s lurking out there in the dark.

[@etiennedauphin]

You sounded worried there for a moment. Glad you’re okay but what about the car?

[@Soonerfan71]

Damn you were very calm and stayed confident on how to get out of there I one would have kept going and would have gotten messed up probably and wouldn't have known that was going on

[@lslast7025]

Whoooaaa that scared the s**t out of me just watching. That awful thumpp!!!

[@lesliecurtis3367]

That was horrifying. “Whatever’s in there it’s large”😳

[@chronically.advocating]

All I want to know is where did that trailer come from? I was watching as you drove into the RFD, and there was absolutely nothing on either side of the road. That was some very powerful RFD winds.

[@Deeniesweden]

That’s terrifying. I’m the dark you don’t know where the tornado is. 😳😨

[@wallyman292]

Wow! What terrible luck! A few seconds either way, and that trailer completely misses you!

[@Nine-Signs]

Dang, good eyes my friend, good eyes.

[@gunnartucker6605]

Keep the amazing work

[@LHudson21201]

What was the damage caused to the RAV4?

[@lauralamkay1246]

Scary to be driving in very heavy rain wrapped in wind

[@kainhall]

chasing at night always scares the CRAP out of me....... even if i know their is only MAYBE some smaller hail in it . im armature... still looking for that first tornado (and in NE montana.... i may be looking for a while more lol) so when it gets dark..... i go home

[@cyclonesoz]

Uwuhhhh (bleep) my favourite storm chase clip ever.

[@AC-db4ek]

you should check the Dan Robinson's in El Reno. Then, you can tell me.

[@ltdjag7577]

Where was this in Oklahoma? Daniel, you’ve nerves of Teflon buddy

[@iVETAnsolini]

Omfg! Bro your crazy!

[@MackGauge1]

That was bit Sketchy ay?

[@hansenhansen8349]

WOW Wow wow, Welcome back to the USA. Very good to see you again. I will never forget the Pilger Nebraska chase, true professional, using your Ham Radio for reporting. I use to have a home in Pilger Nebraska. Be safe.

[@mikecastles]

Way to close Daniel, I was over in Eldorado on OK6 around that time and can tell you those winds were incredible. Hail, high winds and flooding everywhere. I saw reports from the area of 7+ inches during that time and believe it. Glad you're OK, hope there wasn't much damage to your vehicle.

[@_GarethRossUK]

Why on earth was a trailer loose in the field. Geo tag and send them the bill, main thing you are safe.

[@FF-pv7ht]

yea if I ever find just a single brick or metal rod of your house being accelerated towards me by strong RFD winds from whats likely a tornado warned storm supercell that im following alone at night im gonna be sure to send you the bill

[@Og-Judy]

It was probably parked there. Tornadoes toss all sorts of things

[@_GarethRossUK]

@@Og-Judy it is strange out in the middle of nowhere and not tethered or connected to any vechicle.

[@_GarethRossUK]

@@FF-pv7ht if it's loose like that though isn't it also easy to be stolen as wel... hardly the same as debris from a structure. yikes.

[@douggregoryHOTMotorsports]

A tad close for chasing a storm at night....? I am from Northcentral OK.... Not real interested in closely following a storm at night.

[@mzdrizzle]

Well, that’s why he backed off when he did. He knew he got a bit too close.

[@Finduski]

Seems like you were reversing into tornado. Should have kept going forward 🙈😅 pls dont take risks in the sake of good tornado content

[@AC-db4ek]

that trailer was the tornado's punishment for leaving in reverse mode.

[@chloemartel9927]

You are the real deal! But you shouldn't drive directly into it!

[@Kaitydid74]

Was this a matter of just get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time? I know your quite careful and professional, but that seemed really dangerous and horrifying. I jumped when the truck hit you. I am glad you were okay.

[@AC-db4ek]

you lucky lucky boy. That trailer could give you a flat tire and then what would you do?

[@deusurod9484]

Huuuuuuuuuuh,,,, what a dop galut,,,....

[@ChrisCouchon]

I'm ok ok just a 747..

[@AC-db4ek]

2.48, when you don't see anything, that means your are crossing the wall of the tornado.

[@jonathanc.6925]

Storm chasing at night is the dumbest thing anyone can do.

[@scottsmith7051]

Unbelievably dangerous, but who am I to tell you how to do your job? I love your work Daniel. You push the limits but don't cross them, makes for incredible videos. Just stay safe!