TORNADO PHOTOS

"In the world of storm chasing -- Warren Faidley is considered
at the top of the list." (MSNBC)
Over the past 15 years storm adventurer Warren Faidley has pursued, photographed, written about, obsessed over, filmed, cursed at and somehow survived some of the planet's most breathtaking and savage weather. During his action-packed career of over 19 years, it is likely he has experienced more assorted extreme weather events than anyone -- including baseball-sized hail, flash floods, lightning strikes, an F-5 tornado and the interior of a category 5 hurricane -- the most violent of storms. On numerous occasions, beginning at age 12, he has narrowly escaped disaster while pursuing extreme weather.

Unlike the majority of "storm chasers" who are, in reality, part-timers, researchers and hobbyists who chase a few storms a year, Warren is the real deal. He was the first person to make a successful, professional career solely from storm chasing -- covering all forms of bad weather and natural disasters -- year round and full time. His diverse client list, ranging from National Geographic, Paul McCartney to the NFL is evidence of his skills at capturing extreme storm events on film.
Warren became a full time extreme weather journalist in 1989 after graduating from the University of Arizona and working as a photo journalist for several newspapers and magazines. Warren's first hand experiences of outwitting dangerous weather has produced best-selling anecdotes, award winning images and made him one of the most sought after experts, photographers, lecturers and personalities concerning storm chasing and storm survival. Each year his images, footage and adventure stories reach millions around the world in magazines, radio, television, the internet, advertising, lectures, motion pictures and books.

  Here is a QuickTime introduction about Warren and his work
   Copyright 2003 VOA.

The following interview questions were assembled and abbridged from assorted news interviews. The unabridged, extended version can be found here.
Media inquires may be sent here.
Edited by Laura White

"The Indiana Jones of storm chasing." (Nippon Press)

When did this incredible story begin?

Once upon a time, I was born in Topeka, Kansas, in the heart of Tornado Alley, on May 11 -- the height of the tornado season. Shortly there after, a killer tornado tore though the neighborhood. I don't remember it, but I'll bet if I could have walked I would have run out the door to see it!
Editors note: Warren and his tricycle seen to the upper right. This is not an acceptable mode of tornado chasing!

I understand your first childhood chase nearly killed you?
Yes. When I was 12 I was swept away by a flash flood in Tucson, Arizona. I conducted my first "chase" along the banks of a swiftly-flowing riverbed. The side gave way and I fell into the floodwaters. I was carried under water and held my breath as long as I could. I remember the little movie playing -- the vivid memories passing by as death approaches. The credits were rolling just as my foot found a rock -- allowing me to stick my head above the water and breath. That single event had a profound effect on my life -- I knew then and still do -- I had to live life to its fullest.

When did you first realize you might make a career out of chasing severe weather?
About a year after my near death experience I decided to ride my bike into the center of a large dust devil, a tornado-like thermal vortex. I got the big idea after watching the Wizard of Oz. I formed a chase group of neighborhood kids. We wore old jackets and safety goggles to protect us from the flying debris. On several occasions I was able to penetrate the interior of a dust devil. My weather adventures lead to my first job, collecting deadly scorpions. The heavy monsoon rain storms drove the critters out of their hiding places, ready for the taking. I dodged the lightning bolts and sold the scorpions to an old geezer who put them into plastic paperweights, the kind sold at roadside travel stores. Eventually, some parents found out about my near drowning, scorpion trade and dust devil adventures. The majority of my "devil squadron" were banned from hanging out with 'that Faidley kid'.

  "Like the boy who can't resist opening the cellar door to find out what is making that gnawing sound, Warren Faidley wants to meet the monster." (Jim Malusa for Destination Discovery Magazine. December 1992.)

When did you see your first tornado?
Just by chance, my first tornado was an F-5 (318 mph) monster near Red Rock, Oklahoma on April 26, 1991. I nearly drove into the beast when I lost track of it in a line of trees. It hit a house in front of me. There was pink insulation falling on the windshield. I half expected body parts to fall. My foot was shaking on the accelerator and I felt like throwing up. You can hear the mix of excitement and terror in my voice as I shot the video footage.
  Here is a QuickTime storm clip of the April 26, 1990 tornado

  "He's faced the fury of lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes but he's never been afraid." (Slight misquote from the National Enquirer. August 1994)

What was the scariest moment of your chasing career?
You will have to wait until I write a book! There have been too many to mention here. One of the recent events occurred in 2003 when I was caught up in the "inflow" circulation feeding into a nighttime tornadic storm in west Texas. I was fleeing an absolutely wicked storm on I-40 near McLean, Texas when the winds became so intense, the chase truck would barely move -- rocks were being lifted off the road cracking the windshield -- I could see debris flying by in the dust. I was literally being sucked into the tornado's circulation! I finally made it to Shamrock, Texas with tornado sirens blaring. I heard storm spotters on the radio reporting a tornado crossing the road right behind me -- hitting several cars! Two other scary events come to mind: The time I drove through a gauntlet of windshield shattering, baseball-sized hail in western Kansas and the night a tornado was bearing down on my motel room in Nebraska and I had nowhere to hide. During that event, I pretty much decided I might die -- so I decided to go out shooting. I grabbed the video camera and let it roll. People were huddled in the hallways, some of them crying. I figured the wind, hail and tornado sirens would make a great parting shot for the "Faidley Kid!" Fortunately, the tornado missed the motel.
  Here is a QuickTime storm clip of the hailstorm Warren drove through

The movie Twister. How were you involved?
I was one of the initial consultants for Twister. I assisted the art and scouting departments during the initial research phase of the film. The film never had a full-time consultant. I'm often asked, so I should note, none of the characters in the movie were based on me. They were all based on scientists, mostly from the NSSL where Crichton got a lot of his references. I was invited to the premiere in Oklahoma City and I got to meet everyone. The one thing that irritates me is I did not get the consulting credit I was promised!
Editors note: Universal used one of Warren's tornado images for the movie poster and CD box.

Is there any hope of a future "Cyclone Cowboy" story?
Maybe. This comes up every so often. There have been discussions about optioning my life's adventures for a script or screenplay. People from Hollywood occasionally call and chat and ask questions, but I have not committed to anything yet. I've had a lot of unusual experiences during the 18 years of chasing -- you know -- the "truth is stranger than fiction" stuff. Maybe someone should do a weird twist on the story. Is Tarantino available?

Now you have my curiosity. What was one of those "strange" moments?
We found a small child standing in the middle of a deserted highway while we were chasing a tornado.

What is your most memorable chase?

There have been many chases I would consider as "memorable." But the year of 2004 is at the top of the list. Three "High Risk" days that produced so many tornadoes, I lost count. I really lucked out and picked some of the best storms on each day and was able to maneuver into favorable shooting positions. I shot more graphic tornado footage and still images on those three days than all the previous years combined. On the last day of my chase season, I drove through a weak "F-O" tornado in West Texas for S&%$'s and giggles. I knew it was a weak, nothing to worry about twister, so I said what the heck. It was a great way to cap off a great season. (Don't try this at home... his chase truck is designed to safely survive an F-0 to F-1 tornado).

Here is a QT Movie sample of the 2004 chase season