Arrived safely if not un-stressfully American Airlines downsized the plane from Chicago to Oklahoma City and 13 people got booted off. We had to wait until names were called to see who could fly that day. I was one of the lucky ones, second to the last to get on the plane though. Got into Oklahoma City at 6.00pm collected my car and arrived in Okarche at 7.30pm. Could get none of my technology working so had to rely on maps and my wifes glasses. We had storms off and on through the night but nothing to write about. I am staying at Dave Ewoldt's house. We are looking at a few calm weather days. It means I can relax a bit and we can get to Rockies famous chaser BBQ in Oklahoma City. We may set off somewhere on Sunday. Below is an Oklahoma sunrise as seen from Dave's back yard.

Saturday 10th May. Large storms pounded through parts of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. I am recieving reports from the various chasers out there. They say that the storms are causing major damage. Some of my friends out there have had near misses and escaped by the skin of their teeth. Arkansas is poor chase territory too many hills, rivers and trees. The roads wind and twist through the scenic landscape. Tornadoes do not! I have heard from some of my friends out there but have yet to hear from the lads I normally chase with.

I leave Kendal for Manchester this Tuesday 13th and fly out for the states 11.00am Wednesday 14th after an 8 hour flight I will arrive in Chicago at 1.00pm their time. 7.oopm our time. I have a couple of hours to get through immigration i.e. photograph and fingerprints, baggage claim. customs, baggage check-in and then security before my second flight to Oklahoma City. I hope to touch down at Will Rogers Int Airport, Oklahoma City some time around 5.05pm their time, 11.05pm our time. Once I collect my rental car I can then set off to Dave Ewoldts house, which is about 40 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. I anticipate arriving there around 8.00pm their time, 2.00am our time. By which time I will have been travelling about 18.5 hours. I am not sure at the moment if we will need to set off for another destination on my arrival or not. That will depend on the forcast. I will be able to start checking that within the next few days. Currently the plains seem to be heading into a quiet period (high pressure) and the temperature when I get off the plane will be in the mid 80s. So watch this space.

Well doesn't a year go quickly? I have started to put some of my gear into my case. Tri-pod shorts, various repair kits, in case I need to carry out some running repairs whilst on the road. I will need to take my GPS this year because I will need to find my way to Dave Ewoldt's house and then to catch up with the UK team. Where ever they might be on the 22nd May. The UK chase team flew out this morning and will be in Dallas by now. I think Micheal Fish will be joining them on Monday. The weather on the plains has gone quiet, which will give them a chance to gather themselves however things look like hotting up by Thursday. The lads I normally chase with are heading out on Wednesday and they will be out chasing by week-end.

Some statistics

Up to 22nd April there have been 247 tornadoes 17 of those were killer tornadoes. In total, there were 446 people injured and 68 people killed.
TORNADOES (Types):

EF5 - 0 No major tornadoes

EF4 - 5

EF3 - 20

EF2 - 49

EF1 - 132 Mostly F1s

EF0 - 41

(Ted Fujita) rates them 1 to 5. F5 being the strongest F0 the weakest

How does this compare with last year ?

There were 512 for the whole year. We have not entered tornado season yet, so this years total could end up being higher than last year. In 2007 there were 25 killer tornadoes and 420 people injured with 76 killed. So as it stands this year looks like it will be a worse year for those people who happen to live in Tornado Alley.

Anyway that is enough of the boring bit.


If you come face to face with an F5 , run, The only safe place is either under ground or somewhere else. They have been called the "finger of God" I am sure God wouldn't be happy about taking the credit or the blame.

4 weeks today I will bejust arriving in Oklahoma City.

I am now starting to get all the equipment I need for the trip together-: 35mm SLR camera, SLR Digital camera, Sony Cyber-shot digital. Sony camcorder, Lightning detector, GPS, Scanner radio, Storm alert radio, CB radio, Tri-pod, battery charger, 15 Hi 8 film cassettes, Rolls of film, various repair kits, laptp, Wi Fi aerial and a kitchen sink. Clothes are kept to a minimum.

At some point over the week I will attempt to pack the important gear into my onboard bag. That should be fun. I tend to take 3 or 4 tee shirts 2 or 3 pairs of shourt a pair of jeans, 3 or 4 pairs of boxer, 2 pairs of jeans and a fleece. I usually wash and go.