Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:11,977 --> 00:00:17,583
Hard to imagine the power of
mother nature even if you're in
2
00:00:17,585 --> 00:00:19,551
Mother nature even if you're in
a shelter, even if you're
3
00:00:19,553 --> 00:00:20,719
A shelter, even if you're
exactly where you're supposed
4
00:00:20,721 --> 00:00:24,089
Exactly where you're supposed
to be during a tornado for
5
00:00:24,091 --> 00:00:26,058
To be during a tornado for
those 123 minutes.
6
00:00:26,060 --> 00:00:27,393
Those 123 minutes.
>> when everything is falling
7
00:00:27,395 --> 00:00:32,764
>> when everything is falling
apart around, you it's chaos
8
00:00:32,766 --> 00:00:36,301
Apart around, you it's chaos
my god back out and you're
9
00:00:36,303 --> 00:00:37,135
My god back out and you're
just at the mercy of mother
10
00:00:37,137 --> 00:00:40,272
Just at the mercy of mother
nature get really. As a
11
00:00:40,274 --> 00:00:41,673
Nature get really. As a
terrifying experience to go
12
00:00:41,675 --> 00:00:57,656
Terrifying experience to go
through right back
13
00:00:58,591 --> 00:01:00,125
Welcome to.
14
00:01:00,293 --> 00:01:04,796
>> violent earth.
>> I'm liev schreiber 2023 set
15
00:01:04,798 --> 00:01:05,998
>> I'm liev schreiber 2023 set
an all-time record weather and
16
00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:07,399
An all-time record weather and
climate related disasters in
17
00:01:07,401 --> 00:01:11,403
Climate related disasters in
the us. 28 events with losses
18
00:01:11,405 --> 00:01:14,806
The us. 28 events with losses
over $1 billion wildfires
19
00:01:14,808 --> 00:01:16,809
Over $1 billion wildfires
hurricanes, and floods are more
20
00:01:16,811 --> 00:01:19,344
Hurricanes, and floods are more
frequent than ever. The earth
21
00:01:19,346 --> 00:01:21,780
Frequent than ever. The earth
is changing tonight we delve
22
00:01:21,782 --> 00:01:23,982
Is changing tonight we delve
into one of the most powerful
23
00:01:23,984 --> 00:01:26,251
Into one of the most powerful
natural hazards in the world.
24
00:01:26,253 --> 00:01:28,753
Natural hazards in the world.
>> tornadoes terrifying
25
00:01:28,755 --> 00:01:29,655
>> tornadoes terrifying
vortexes on leave from
26
00:01:29,657 --> 00:01:31,389
Vortexes on leave from
thunderstorms in cause
27
00:01:31,391 --> 00:01:34,793
Thunderstorms in cause
unimaginable destruction few
28
00:01:34,795 --> 00:01:35,427
Unimaginable destruction few
examples of their power are
29
00:01:35,429 --> 00:01:37,863
Examples of their power are
more definitive than the 2011
30
00:01:37,865 --> 00:01:38,997
More definitive than the 2011
twister that hit joplin,
31
00:01:38,999 --> 00:01:42,567
Twister that hit joplin,
missouri categorized as an ef5,
32
00:01:42,569 --> 00:01:44,803
Missouri categorized as an ef5,
the highest level possible
33
00:01:44,805 --> 00:01:46,171
The highest level possible
maximum winds over 200 miles
34
00:01:46,173 --> 00:01:49,441
Maximum winds over 200 miles
per hour the tornado cut right
35
00:01:49,443 --> 00:01:56,748
Per hour the tornado cut right
through the center of the city
36
00:01:56,750 --> 00:02:01,186
Through the center of the city
oh my god oh my gosh late may
37
00:02:01,188 --> 00:02:03,689
Oh my god oh my gosh late may
is the bullseye in the midwest
38
00:02:03,691 --> 00:02:08,260
Is the bullseye in the midwest
for tornadoes joplin was under
39
00:02:08,262 --> 00:02:11,029
For tornadoes joplin was under
a risk of a tornado, but not a
40
00:02:11,031 --> 00:02:13,165
A risk of a tornado, but not a
great risk that is a tornado.
41
00:02:13,167 --> 00:02:15,433
Great risk that is a tornado.
People there was a complex of
42
00:02:15,435 --> 00:02:17,636
People there was a complex of
storms that came toward the
43
00:02:17,638 --> 00:02:24,442
Storms that came toward the
city the tornado formed just
44
00:02:24,444 --> 00:02:26,611
City the tornado formed just
outside of the joplin city
45
00:02:26,613 --> 00:02:31,116
Outside of the joplin city
limits and then it just started
46
00:02:31,118 --> 00:02:36,054
Limits and then it just started
racing in the job one all the
47
00:02:36,056 --> 00:02:36,922
Racing in the job one all the
warms are going off on my
48
00:02:36,924 --> 00:02:43,228
Warms are going off on my
computer. Here it comes just
49
00:02:43,230 --> 00:02:44,296
Computer. Here it comes just
straight through the heart of
50
00:02:44,298 --> 00:02:46,532
Straight through the heart of
joplin, missouri.
51
00:02:46,534 --> 00:02:48,300
Joplin, missouri.
>> gosh, that is a monster
52
00:02:48,302 --> 00:02:49,201
>> gosh, that is a monster
tornado.
53
00:02:49,203 --> 00:02:50,001
Tornado.
>> I couldn't really see
54
00:02:50,003 --> 00:02:50,602
>> I couldn't really see
anything because it was
55
00:02:50,604 --> 00:02:54,506
Anything because it was
obscured by rain it was rain,
56
00:02:54,508 --> 00:02:56,508
Obscured by rain it was rain,
rain I think that's why
57
00:02:56,510 --> 00:02:58,944
Rain I think that's why
there's so many people died
58
00:02:58,946 --> 00:03:03,081
There's so many people died
they didn't not realize that
59
00:03:03,083 --> 00:03:05,551
They didn't not realize that
what they were seeing was the
60
00:03:05,553 --> 00:03:06,084
What they were seeing was the
tornado.
61
00:03:06,086 --> 00:03:10,923
Tornado.
>> in this case, an ef5 tornado
62
00:03:10,925 --> 00:03:13,759
>> in this case, an ef5 tornado
that is catastrophic and by the
63
00:03:13,761 --> 00:03:23,635
That is catastrophic and by the
time they did this to light as
64
00:03:23,637 --> 00:03:25,537
Time they did this to light as
a pointer went by, everything
65
00:03:25,539 --> 00:03:26,538
A pointer went by, everything
was gone. It was like a
66
00:03:26,540 --> 00:03:27,706
Was gone. It was like a
bulldozer and level everything
67
00:03:27,708 --> 00:03:30,542
Bulldozer and level everything
in his path I just couldn't
68
00:03:30,544 --> 00:03:32,711
In his path I just couldn't
believe what I was millions and
69
00:03:32,713 --> 00:03:36,147
Believe what I was millions and
millions of pieces of debris
70
00:03:36,149 --> 00:03:38,550
Millions of pieces of debris
the tornado was on the ground
71
00:03:38,552 --> 00:03:39,952
The tornado was on the ground
for 32 minutes. Designs are
72
00:03:39,954 --> 00:03:42,954
For 32 minutes. Designs are
going hips convenience store on
73
00:03:42,956 --> 00:03:45,123
Going hips convenience store on
east 20th street.
74
00:03:45,125 --> 00:03:45,791
East 20th street.
>> they had locked it just to
75
00:03:45,793 --> 00:03:48,326
>> they had locked it just to
the door when fling open.
76
00:03:48,328 --> 00:03:59,137
The door when fling open.
>> listen to the audio a
77
00:03:59,139 --> 00:03:59,871
>> listen to the audio a
tornado entered the center part
78
00:03:59,873 --> 00:04:01,006
Tornado entered the center part
of the city that they hit the
79
00:04:01,008 --> 00:04:02,540
Of the city that they hit the
high school that's what a mass
80
00:04:02,542 --> 00:04:12,217
High school that's what a mass
damage occurred valence video
81
00:04:12,219 --> 00:04:15,387
Damage occurred valence video
from my high school is no more
82
00:04:15,389 --> 00:04:17,689
From my high school is no more
than 100 yards from amber
83
00:04:17,691 --> 00:04:22,995
Than 100 yards from amber
monson's house in 2011, amber
84
00:04:22,997 --> 00:04:25,297
Monson's house in 2011, amber
was 40-years-old amber's always
85
00:04:25,299 --> 00:04:28,700
Was 40-years-old amber's always
been amber just always
86
00:04:28,702 --> 00:04:31,169
Been amber just always
generous, kind, and hospitable.
87
00:04:31,171 --> 00:04:34,806
Generous, kind, and hospitable.
Just fun to be around member
88
00:04:34,808 --> 00:04:37,009
Just fun to be around member
was home that afternoon. She
89
00:04:37,011 --> 00:04:37,809
Was home that afternoon. She
wasn't aware that the tornado
90
00:04:37,811 --> 00:04:40,412
Wasn't aware that the tornado
was coming she didn't have her
91
00:04:40,414 --> 00:04:41,913
Was coming she didn't have her
tv on and no indicators that if
92
00:04:41,915 --> 00:04:45,217
Tv on and no indicators that if
it was gonna be that severe I
93
00:04:45,219 --> 00:04:46,652
It was gonna be that severe I
had spoken to her. She said,
94
00:04:46,654 --> 00:04:48,620
Had spoken to her. She said,
oh, it's just turned really
95
00:04:48,622 --> 00:04:49,954
Oh, it's just turned really
dark here.
96
00:04:49,956 --> 00:04:53,625
Dark here.
>> and then she said, now the
97
00:04:53,627 --> 00:04:54,226
>> and then she said, now the
sirens are going off and
98
00:04:54,228 --> 00:04:57,329
Sirens are going off and
that's a nice say go take the
99
00:04:57,331 --> 00:04:58,396
That's a nice say go take the
quilt off the top your bed and
100
00:04:58,398 --> 00:04:59,531
Quilt off the top your bed and
getting your bathtub.
101
00:04:59,533 --> 00:05:02,267
Getting your bathtub.
>> I said and then call me back
102
00:05:02,269 --> 00:05:06,037
>> I said and then call me back
very few houses in joplin
103
00:05:06,039 --> 00:05:08,106
Very few houses in joplin
particularly in the path of
104
00:05:08,108 --> 00:05:09,041
Particularly in the path of
what turned out to be this
105
00:05:09,043 --> 00:05:11,409
What turned out to be this
tornado, had basements.
106
00:05:11,411 --> 00:05:13,545
Tornado, had basements.
>> so the best place go is
107
00:05:13,547 --> 00:05:17,015
>> so the best place go is
either a closet or in your
108
00:05:17,017 --> 00:05:20,285
Either a closet or in your
bathtub you want to get as low
109
00:05:20,287 --> 00:05:21,619
Bathtub you want to get as low
as you can put as many walls
110
00:05:21,621 --> 00:05:23,388
As you can put as many walls
between you and the tornado was
111
00:05:23,390 --> 00:05:25,590
Between you and the tornado was
possible. Oh, gosh, I was
112
00:05:25,592 --> 00:05:26,958
Possible. Oh, gosh, I was
concerned when she said the
113
00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:29,461
Concerned when she said the
sayyed runs. We're going off. I
114
00:05:29,463 --> 00:05:30,595
Sayyed runs. We're going off. I
wouldn't even imagine the
115
00:05:30,597 --> 00:05:31,996
Wouldn't even imagine the
magnitude of what was going to
116
00:05:31,998 --> 00:05:36,601
Magnitude of what was going to
come amber. Munson probably 15
117
00:05:36,603 --> 00:05:40,171
Come amber. Munson probably 15
seconds before the tornado hit
118
00:05:40,173 --> 00:05:41,272
Seconds before the tornado hit
realized just how bad it was
119
00:05:41,274 --> 00:05:46,678
Realized just how bad it was
going to be and bang the
120
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:59,190
Going to be and bang the
tornado here for tornadoes to
121
00:05:59,192 --> 00:05:59,857
Tornado here for tornadoes to
form, you have to have a
122
00:05:59,859 --> 00:06:03,295
Form, you have to have a
certain and set of ingredients
123
00:06:03,297 --> 00:06:05,430
Certain and set of ingredients
first of all, you have to have
124
00:06:05,432 --> 00:06:06,464
First of all, you have to have
moisture available for
125
00:06:06,466 --> 00:06:07,899
Moisture available for
thunderstorms to develop.
126
00:06:07,901 --> 00:06:09,234
Thunderstorms to develop.
>> you have to have a source of
127
00:06:09,236 --> 00:06:11,103
>> you have to have a source of
lift or a trigger for those
128
00:06:11,105 --> 00:06:14,506
Lift or a trigger for those
thunderstorms to get going you
129
00:06:14,508 --> 00:06:15,640
Thunderstorms to get going you
have to have unstable air,
130
00:06:15,642 --> 00:06:19,077
Have to have unstable air,
which is temperatures that get
131
00:06:19,079 --> 00:06:20,211
Which is temperatures that get
colder with height and that
132
00:06:20,213 --> 00:06:21,279
Colder with height and that
allows the thunderstorm to rise
133
00:06:21,281 --> 00:06:22,881
Allows the thunderstorm to rise
and development hello
134
00:06:22,883 --> 00:06:26,351
And development hello
vertically the most important
135
00:06:26,353 --> 00:06:28,219
Vertically the most important
ingredient is you have to have
136
00:06:28,221 --> 00:06:29,654
Ingredient is you have to have
wind shear, which is changing
137
00:06:29,656 --> 00:06:31,689
Wind shear, which is changing
of wind direction with height
138
00:06:31,691 --> 00:06:34,459
Of wind direction with height
and also changing wind speeds
139
00:06:34,461 --> 00:06:39,898
And also changing wind speeds
with height there's all sorts
140
00:06:39,900 --> 00:06:40,932
With height there's all sorts
of different shapes fernandez
141
00:06:40,934 --> 00:06:44,136
Of different shapes fernandez
can take we have a stove pipe
142
00:06:44,138 --> 00:06:45,137
Can take we have a stove pipe
or just kind of like a straight
143
00:06:45,139 --> 00:06:47,338
Or just kind of like a straight
up and down type tornado.
144
00:06:47,340 --> 00:06:49,474
Up and down type tornado.
>> we have obviously a cone
145
00:06:49,476 --> 00:06:50,842
>> we have obviously a cone
that makes sense if the shape
146
00:06:50,844 --> 00:06:53,979
That makes sense if the shape
another one is the wedge, and
147
00:06:53,981 --> 00:06:55,747
Another one is the wedge, and
that's usually the most
148
00:06:55,749 --> 00:06:59,351
That's usually the most
intense different tornadoes
149
00:06:59,353 --> 00:07:01,353
Intense different tornadoes
have different smells. When a
150
00:07:01,355 --> 00:07:02,487
Have different smells. When a
tornado is going through a
151
00:07:02,489 --> 00:07:05,056
Tornado is going through a
densely wooded area, you can
152
00:07:05,058 --> 00:07:05,957
Densely wooded area, you can
smell fresh cup would the fresh
153
00:07:05,959 --> 00:07:07,158
Smell fresh cup would the fresh
copy? Fine, whatever the tree
154
00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:11,763
Copy? Fine, whatever the tree
is the typical widths are
155
00:07:11,765 --> 00:07:14,966
Is the typical widths are
anywhere from probably 25, 50
156
00:07:14,968 --> 00:07:17,268
Anywhere from probably 25, 50
yards across on the low end two
157
00:07:17,270 --> 00:07:22,374
Yards across on the low end two
on the high end mile wide the,
158
00:07:22,376 --> 00:07:25,444
On the high end mile wide the,
largest one I've ever seen was
159
00:07:25,446 --> 00:07:27,379
Largest one I've ever seen was
the el reno, oklahoma tornado.
160
00:07:27,381 --> 00:07:27,912
The el reno, oklahoma tornado.
161
00:07:28,014 --> 00:07:36,688
>> and that was over two miles
wide the joplin tornado became
162
00:07:36,690 --> 00:07:38,423
Wide the joplin tornado became
a mile wide wedge right on the
163
00:07:38,425 --> 00:07:41,993
A mile wide wedge right on the
edge of town tornado was
164
00:07:41,995 --> 00:07:43,829
Edge of town tornado was
massive it was chewing up
165
00:07:43,831 --> 00:07:46,631
Massive it was chewing up
everything in its path groups,
166
00:07:46,633 --> 00:07:50,969
Everything in its path groups,
no mercy at all
167
00:07:51,704 --> 00:07:53,504
: Breaking
news here at cnn.
168
00:07:53,639 --> 00:07:56,440
Joplin, missouri, suffering
the devastation right now
169
00:07:56,442 --> 00:07:59,310
Of a very powerful tornado.
170
00:07:59,312 --> 00:08:02,580
Jim riek: Amber lived in
what I would call a very
171
00:08:02,715 --> 00:08:04,816
Middle class area of joplin.
172
00:08:07,987 --> 00:08:10,721
Jeff piotrowski: This
beautiful, quaint subdivision,
173
00:08:10,724 --> 00:08:14,191
And now it's level.
174
00:08:14,193 --> 00:08:16,527
Kat piotrowski: It was
just total devastation.
175
00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:25,536
Our phone rang, and it was
her, and she was screaming,
176
00:08:25,538 --> 00:08:28,940
Mother, my house
is on top of me.
177
00:08:29,075 --> 00:08:30,808
That's when I said,
amber, that's not
178
00:08:30,943 --> 00:08:33,811
Funny, because we would
always kid back and forth.
179
00:08:33,946 --> 00:08:37,281
And she said, no, mom,
my house is on top of me.
180
00:08:37,417 --> 00:08:38,649
And then her phone went dead.
181
00:08:44,890 --> 00:08:46,624
So there's a lot of
myths that have been
182
00:08:46,626 --> 00:08:48,292
Passed down through the years.
183
00:08:48,294 --> 00:08:51,362
Reporter: Doors and windows
on the north and east sides
184
00:08:51,364 --> 00:08:52,429
Were open.
185
00:08:52,431 --> 00:08:54,098
Trent okerson: Whenever
I was growing up,
186
00:08:54,234 --> 00:08:56,233
I heard you've got to
open up the windows
187
00:08:56,235 --> 00:08:57,901
To equalize the air pressure.
188
00:08:57,903 --> 00:09:03,441
Well, pressure is not what
will cause damage to a home.
189
00:09:03,576 --> 00:09:07,278
It's wind getting up under the
roof, blowing the roof off.
190
00:09:09,882 --> 00:09:14,185
Another big misconception is
if you're out in a vehicle,
191
00:09:14,187 --> 00:09:17,521
That an overpass is a great
place to take shelter.
192
00:09:17,523 --> 00:09:19,457
That is not a good place to go.
193
00:09:19,592 --> 00:09:22,726
Scientists have realized
that being in that overpass
194
00:09:22,728 --> 00:09:24,996
Creates a bit of a
wind tunnel effect,
195
00:09:24,998 --> 00:09:27,665
That the wind is blowing
through a smaller area
196
00:09:27,766 --> 00:09:30,334
So it can actually
accelerate the wind speeds.
197
00:09:30,336 --> 00:09:32,170
So you're putting yourself
in greater danger.
198
00:09:34,941 --> 00:09:37,541
Kim klockow mcclain: There's
a really popular misconception
199
00:09:37,543 --> 00:09:41,612
That mobile homes are
like tornado attractors,
200
00:09:41,747 --> 00:09:46,017
And what's behind that is
undoubtedly that people hear
201
00:09:46,119 --> 00:09:48,419
About mobile homes getting
hit more because that's
202
00:09:48,554 --> 00:09:50,554
Where people die.
203
00:09:50,690 --> 00:09:52,356
Harold brooks: Roughly
half of the deaths
204
00:09:52,358 --> 00:09:56,027
In tornadoes occur in mobile
and manufactured homes.
205
00:09:56,162 --> 00:09:57,961
They're much more
vulnerable to a tornado
206
00:09:58,097 --> 00:10:00,631
And tend to turn
into debris quicker.
207
00:10:00,766 --> 00:10:05,769
There are myths that tornadoes
can't cross bodies of water.
208
00:10:05,771 --> 00:10:08,505
Oh, tornadoes can't
go through cities.
209
00:10:08,507 --> 00:10:10,173
Jeff piotrowski: But
there are no rules
210
00:10:10,175 --> 00:10:11,242
When it comes to tornadoes.
211
00:10:11,244 --> 00:10:14,445
They go where they wanna go.
212
00:10:14,447 --> 00:10:16,447
Harold brooks: The deadliest
tornado in us history
213
00:10:16,582 --> 00:10:19,917
Is March 18, 1925, the
tri-state tornado that
214
00:10:19,919 --> 00:10:23,186
Went across southeastern
missouri, southern illinois
215
00:10:23,188 --> 00:10:25,857
Into southwestern
indiana, and it
216
00:10:25,992 --> 00:10:30,661
Killed 695 people over about a
two and a half hour long period.
217
00:10:30,796 --> 00:10:33,664
Generally, after the
tri-state tornado, we see, like,
218
00:10:33,666 --> 00:10:37,134
A 10-fold decrease in
the fatality rate from
219
00:10:37,236 --> 00:10:40,203
Tornadoes as compared to 1925.
220
00:10:40,205 --> 00:10:42,206
We think there are
a lot of things that
221
00:10:42,308 --> 00:10:44,408
Could be going on behind that.
222
00:10:44,544 --> 00:10:47,879
There was the emergence of radio
and people downstream could
223
00:10:48,014 --> 00:10:50,281
Hear about it immediately.
224
00:10:50,283 --> 00:10:53,417
Radar has had something
to do with this, increases
225
00:10:53,553 --> 00:10:57,354
In our understanding of
storms, and now the ability
226
00:10:57,489 --> 00:11:00,892
To push warnings to people
on their cell phones.
227
00:11:01,027 --> 00:11:05,028
Harold brooks: But the may 22,
2011 tornado at joplin,
228
00:11:05,164 --> 00:11:07,298
Missouri, was the deadliest
tornado in decades
229
00:11:07,433 --> 00:11:09,633
In the united states.
230
00:11:09,769 --> 00:11:13,504
Being the seventh
deadliest in us history.
231
00:11:13,639 --> 00:11:17,374
Jim riek: On that
day, it didn't matter
232
00:11:17,376 --> 00:11:21,812
What type of forecasting skills
you had, what technology.
233
00:11:24,717 --> 00:11:27,918
The tornado won.
234
00:11:27,921 --> 00:11:30,388
[dramatic music]
235
00:11:35,127 --> 00:11:36,660
Jeff piotrowski:
Everything basically
236
00:11:36,662 --> 00:11:38,395
Was a three foot, four
foot pile of debris
237
00:11:38,397 --> 00:11:40,131
Everywhere as far as
the eye could see.
238
00:11:40,133 --> 00:11:41,265
Just debris everywhere.
239
00:11:41,401 --> 00:11:42,667
There's really nothing standing.
240
00:11:48,140 --> 00:11:49,807
Donna kerry: In her
immediate neighborhood,
241
00:11:49,942 --> 00:11:54,812
There were 16 people
that perished.
242
00:11:54,814 --> 00:11:59,683
Jim riek: Jeff piotrowski
sees a lady who is hysterical,
243
00:11:59,819 --> 00:12:03,420
Has no idea what
has happened to her.
244
00:12:03,555 --> 00:12:06,357
And that's amber munson.
245
00:12:06,359 --> 00:12:09,226
You could hear amber
before you saw her,
246
00:12:09,228 --> 00:12:11,162
And that's what I remember
more than anything
247
00:12:11,297 --> 00:12:13,430
Is hearing her cries out.
248
00:12:13,432 --> 00:12:14,832
Amber munson: Can
I use your phone?
249
00:12:14,834 --> 00:12:15,899
Jeff piotrowski: What?
250
00:12:15,901 --> 00:12:17,100
Kat piotrowski: And
coming towards us.
251
00:12:17,102 --> 00:12:18,435
Jeff piotrowski: Yeah,
all the phones are jammed.
252
00:12:18,437 --> 00:12:20,171
Kat piotrowski: Jeff
jumped out of the car
253
00:12:20,173 --> 00:12:22,974
Immediately and
raced towards her.
254
00:12:23,109 --> 00:12:24,107
I'm ok.
255
00:12:24,109 --> 00:12:25,042
I'm ok.
Jeff piotrowski: Come here.
256
00:12:25,044 --> 00:12:26,510
Come here.
Hello?
257
00:12:26,512 --> 00:12:28,045
Hello?
258
00:12:28,047 --> 00:12:29,180
How did she survive?
259
00:12:31,985 --> 00:12:34,317
Amber munson: Once the
tornado sirens went off
260
00:12:34,319 --> 00:12:35,919
And the lights
started flickering,
261
00:12:35,921 --> 00:12:37,855
I grabbed a pillow and
a blanket and my phone
262
00:12:37,857 --> 00:12:39,290
And I jumped into the bathtub.
263
00:12:42,728 --> 00:12:45,729
I decided to roll
over on my right side
264
00:12:45,731 --> 00:12:50,534
And I kind of got into a fetal
position and covered myself up.
265
00:12:50,670 --> 00:12:52,536
But as the pressure
started coming,
266
00:12:52,538 --> 00:12:54,738
The bath started bouncing.
267
00:12:54,841 --> 00:12:58,609
So it was very minor at first,
not realizing that you're gonna
268
00:12:58,744 --> 00:13:01,478
Get sucked out of your house.
269
00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:03,681
After the tornado
hit, I remember
270
00:13:03,816 --> 00:13:05,949
Hearing the glass
shatter, but I don't
271
00:13:05,951 --> 00:13:08,485
Remember flying in the tornado.
272
00:13:08,620 --> 00:13:16,227
Amber munson went flying,
ended up in someone else's yard.
273
00:13:16,229 --> 00:13:19,230
Amber munson: When I woke up, I
just remember being upside down,
274
00:13:19,365 --> 00:13:21,164
Buried within the rubble.
275
00:13:21,300 --> 00:13:23,500
I knew I was alive, but I
still questioned whether or not
276
00:13:23,635 --> 00:13:25,302
I was gonna survive
because of the stuff
277
00:13:25,437 --> 00:13:27,238
That was falling on me.
278
00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:31,242
I think just wanting to
survive kicked in for her.
279
00:13:31,244 --> 00:13:34,912
I kind of wiggled myself
out so that I could get up,
280
00:13:35,047 --> 00:13:39,650
And that's when I
got out of the hole.
281
00:13:39,785 --> 00:13:43,654
I had twisted my knee and I had
a puncture wound in my back.
282
00:13:43,656 --> 00:13:45,923
But she's alive.
283
00:13:45,925 --> 00:13:47,991
It was a miracle.
284
00:13:47,993 --> 00:13:49,393
Amber munson: The
joplin tornado,
285
00:13:49,529 --> 00:13:53,997
Having lived through it,
made me realize that people
286
00:13:54,133 --> 00:13:55,933
Don't take them serious enough.
287
00:13:56,068 --> 00:13:58,535
You see people that go stand
on the front porch wanting
288
00:13:58,670 --> 00:14:01,405
To capture these
things, not realizing
289
00:14:01,541 --> 00:14:03,540
How risky they really can be.
290
00:14:03,675 --> 00:14:05,209
Storm chaser: Oh,
we got lightning.
291
00:14:15,253 --> 00:14:16,386
Trent okerson: Storm
chasing has gotten
292
00:14:16,521 --> 00:14:19,623
Extremely popular over the
past couple of decades.
293
00:14:22,694 --> 00:14:24,127
Storm chaser: Get
the best footage.
294
00:14:24,229 --> 00:14:25,929
Harold brooks: People do it,
in large part, for the thrill
295
00:14:26,064 --> 00:14:27,731
And for the excitement
of seeing the event.
296
00:14:27,866 --> 00:14:29,733
Storm chaser:
Tornado number one.
297
00:14:29,735 --> 00:14:30,734
Tornado number two.
298
00:14:30,869 --> 00:14:32,802
The original tornado
is still on the ground.
299
00:14:32,937 --> 00:14:34,404
Tim marshall: Once
you get out there
300
00:14:34,406 --> 00:14:40,410
And you see a storm in the open
plains and the amazing structure
301
00:14:40,412 --> 00:14:43,680
That it has, it's
mesmerizing, and it
302
00:14:43,816 --> 00:14:45,949
Can become even addicting.
303
00:14:46,084 --> 00:14:48,818
Storm chaser: My goodness.
304
00:14:48,820 --> 00:14:52,021
That is a thing of
beauty and violence.
305
00:14:52,023 --> 00:14:54,691
Max olson: There's a side to
it that's almost like a hunter,
306
00:14:54,827 --> 00:14:57,360
Because you're trying to narrow
down where in the country
307
00:14:57,363 --> 00:15:00,296
This relatively rare
phenomenon is gonna take place.
308
00:15:00,432 --> 00:15:01,264
Storm chaser: Come on.
309
00:15:05,703 --> 00:15:09,105
Tim marshall: Now there are
thousands of people who do this.
310
00:15:09,107 --> 00:15:11,174
There's even tour
groups nowadays,
311
00:15:11,176 --> 00:15:13,777
And you can get in a
van and go with a group
312
00:15:13,912 --> 00:15:17,513
Of fellow enthusiasts and
drive out onto the plains
313
00:15:17,515 --> 00:15:20,584
And see the majestic skies.
314
00:15:20,719 --> 00:15:22,986
Allison chinchar: In the
united states, we average more
315
00:15:22,988 --> 00:15:25,589
Than 1,200 tornadoes per year.
316
00:15:25,591 --> 00:15:29,058
That is number one in
the world by a long shot.
317
00:15:29,060 --> 00:15:33,797
The second closest is canada,
which only gets 100 per year.
318
00:15:33,899 --> 00:15:36,532
You could actually
add canada, australia,
319
00:15:36,635 --> 00:15:38,868
And all european
countries combined,
320
00:15:38,870 --> 00:15:41,405
And we still see
more than they do.
321
00:15:41,540 --> 00:15:44,674
Tornadoes are most
common in the midwest.
322
00:15:44,809 --> 00:15:46,276
Max olson: We also
have another area
323
00:15:46,278 --> 00:15:49,145
That's really prone to tornadoes
in our southeastern states.
324
00:15:49,147 --> 00:15:51,147
Harold brooks: The tornado
season depends on where
325
00:15:51,283 --> 00:15:52,348
You are in the country.
326
00:15:52,350 --> 00:15:54,884
In the plains, tornado
season is typically
327
00:15:55,019 --> 00:15:58,288
Over a relatively short period
of time in the springtime.
328
00:15:58,423 --> 00:16:00,090
In the southeastern
united states,
329
00:16:00,225 --> 00:16:04,494
Tornadoes are more likely to
occur at any time of the year.
330
00:16:04,496 --> 00:16:09,499
Tornadoes actually can and
do strike all over the country.
331
00:16:09,634 --> 00:16:11,167
Tim marshall: Tornadoes
have been known
332
00:16:11,303 --> 00:16:14,103
To be in every state of the us.
333
00:16:14,105 --> 00:16:16,172
They have been in the
highest of mountains,
334
00:16:16,308 --> 00:16:19,776
Beaches, and offshore.
335
00:16:19,912 --> 00:16:21,377
Harold brooks: Over
the last 50 years,
336
00:16:21,513 --> 00:16:22,979
What we've seen has
been an increase
337
00:16:22,981 --> 00:16:25,181
In the number of
tornadoes in what
338
00:16:25,183 --> 00:16:26,782
We think of as the mid-south.
339
00:16:26,784 --> 00:16:29,519
It looks like it's associated
with physical changes
340
00:16:29,521 --> 00:16:32,055
In the atmosphere, but we
don't have a real underlying
341
00:16:32,057 --> 00:16:34,924
Reason of why that's occurred.
342
00:16:34,926 --> 00:16:37,527
Reporter: A rare sight
in the skies over japan.
343
00:16:37,662 --> 00:16:40,796
A powerful twister ripping
across the eastern part
344
00:16:40,798 --> 00:16:41,665
Of the nation.
345
00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:43,733
Tornadoes occur worldwide.
346
00:16:43,868 --> 00:16:45,268
Jeff piotrowski:
Europe has tornadoes.
347
00:16:45,403 --> 00:16:46,602
South america has tornadoes.
348
00:16:46,738 --> 00:16:50,340
Australia, japan.
349
00:16:50,342 --> 00:16:53,409
Trent okerson: But the united
states has a unique combination
350
00:16:53,411 --> 00:16:56,279
Of geographical
features that can lend
351
00:16:56,414 --> 00:16:57,747
Itself to a lot of tornadoes.
352
00:16:57,882 --> 00:16:59,883
The gulf of mexico,
that provides
353
00:17:00,018 --> 00:17:01,885
The very warm, humid air.
354
00:17:01,887 --> 00:17:04,754
Then you also get cooler, drier
air that's either coming down
355
00:17:04,889 --> 00:17:07,223
From canada or off the rockies.
356
00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:09,159
There's really no other
place in the world that
357
00:17:09,294 --> 00:17:12,896
Has the exact combination
of ingredients like we
358
00:17:12,898 --> 00:17:14,297
Do here in the united states.
359
00:17:14,432 --> 00:17:15,365
Storm chaser: Zoom in.
360
00:17:18,636 --> 00:17:22,305
Storm chasing has definitely
evolved into this kind
361
00:17:22,307 --> 00:17:23,306
Of social media era.
362
00:17:23,441 --> 00:17:24,507
Storm chaser: Where are we?
363
00:17:24,510 --> 00:17:25,508
Northeast nebraska?
364
00:17:25,511 --> 00:17:27,377
Max olson: And
people wanna be seen.
365
00:17:27,379 --> 00:17:30,580
They wanna be, you know, the
chaser that everybody thinks of,
366
00:17:30,715 --> 00:17:33,950
Doing the live streams, posts in
front of a tornado and whatnot.
367
00:17:37,522 --> 00:17:39,923
Trent okerson: Storm chasing
is a double edged sword.
368
00:17:40,058 --> 00:17:43,927
It's very valuable when
it comes to learning more
369
00:17:44,062 --> 00:17:46,930
About the science
behind storms, but it
370
00:17:47,032 --> 00:17:49,599
Can also be dangerous
if you're not
371
00:17:49,734 --> 00:17:52,702
100% sure of what you're doing.
372
00:17:58,877 --> 00:18:00,676
The biggest danger
of storm chasing
373
00:18:00,779 --> 00:18:02,678
Has always been the driving.
374
00:18:02,814 --> 00:18:04,614
Storm chaser: Let's go back.
375
00:18:04,616 --> 00:18:06,215
We're going back.
376
00:18:06,217 --> 00:18:08,284
We're going back.
377
00:18:08,286 --> 00:18:11,087
You tend to judge where
the tornado is going,
378
00:18:11,189 --> 00:18:12,889
But that doesn't always happen.
379
00:18:23,435 --> 00:18:24,834
There are so many
people who chase
380
00:18:24,836 --> 00:18:28,972
Now on some storms that traffic
is actually a serious problem.
381
00:18:28,974 --> 00:18:31,641
When I'm chasing
out in the plains,
382
00:18:31,776 --> 00:18:34,644
I'm apt to see dozens
of other chasers.
383
00:18:34,646 --> 00:18:38,448
When I began storm chasing,
there were no other chasers.
384
00:18:38,450 --> 00:18:40,850
Tim marshall: David hoadley,
whether he likes it or not,
385
00:18:40,985 --> 00:18:43,853
Is the father of modern
day storm chasing.
386
00:18:43,988 --> 00:18:45,721
Max olson: David hoadley
is the first person
387
00:18:45,857 --> 00:18:48,458
To truly go out and
seek tornadoes, driving
388
00:18:48,593 --> 00:18:51,260
Long distances, attempting
to come up with some sort
389
00:18:51,262 --> 00:18:53,997
Of formula to see tornadoes.
390
00:18:54,132 --> 00:18:59,803
He holds the record for
the longest consecutive years
391
00:18:59,938 --> 00:19:02,005
Of storm chasing.
392
00:19:02,140 --> 00:19:05,741
I've been storm
chasing 66 years,
393
00:19:05,877 --> 00:19:10,746
And I've seen 265 tornadoes.
394
00:19:10,882 --> 00:19:13,883
I saw my first tornado in 1958.
395
00:19:13,885 --> 00:19:15,551
I think this is
one of the things
396
00:19:15,553 --> 00:19:21,224
That appealed to me was the
element of, really, mystery.
397
00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:23,226
What causes these storms?
398
00:19:23,228 --> 00:19:25,962
There was so much
that was unknown.
399
00:19:26,098 --> 00:19:28,898
2023, I saw david
hoadley out chasing.
400
00:19:29,033 --> 00:19:30,033
The man's 85 years old.
401
00:19:30,168 --> 00:19:31,767
He's been doing it
for most of his life,
402
00:19:31,903 --> 00:19:34,904
And he's still out there
doing it every single year.
403
00:19:35,039 --> 00:19:39,042
David hoadley: It's not like
spelunking or surfboarding.
404
00:19:39,177 --> 00:19:40,910
You can return to the ocean.
405
00:19:40,912 --> 00:19:45,314
You can climb the mountains
again and again and again.
406
00:19:45,316 --> 00:19:49,719
But that one tornado, that one
storm, once it's gone, it's out.
407
00:19:49,854 --> 00:19:52,055
It's history.
408
00:19:52,057 --> 00:19:56,192
To have a picture of it, have
a video or anything else of it,
409
00:19:56,194 --> 00:19:58,794
Is to say that I've
captured something
410
00:19:58,930 --> 00:20:00,163
That will never happen again.
411
00:20:10,508 --> 00:20:13,976
Tornadoes are most
common 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
412
00:20:14,112 --> 00:20:16,912
Because that's when the
atmosphere is warmest,
413
00:20:16,914 --> 00:20:18,981
You get the sunshine,
heats things up,
414
00:20:18,983 --> 00:20:21,451
Creates the most instability.
415
00:20:21,586 --> 00:20:24,554
That instability is
fuel for thunderstorms.
416
00:20:31,863 --> 00:20:35,464
Mason lillard: May 22,
normal Sunday.
417
00:20:35,467 --> 00:20:37,599
We went fishing for
a little bit and we
418
00:20:37,735 --> 00:20:39,869
Were getting ready to
take my cousin lage home.
419
00:20:40,004 --> 00:20:47,009
I was 10 and lage was 14,
and my grandpa was like, hey,
420
00:20:47,145 --> 00:20:51,681
I need some wiring for
my garage at home depot.
421
00:20:51,683 --> 00:20:53,816
I would say probably
around 5:00,
422
00:20:53,952 --> 00:20:55,951
5:15-ish, the sky's
starting to get
423
00:20:56,086 --> 00:21:00,356
A little kind of weird looking.
424
00:21:00,358 --> 00:21:05,227
My grandpa went inside of home
depot and my cousin, my grandma,
425
00:21:05,229 --> 00:21:08,030
And myself were all
sitting in the truck.
426
00:21:08,166 --> 00:21:10,700
We heard the sirens
go off, but we
427
00:21:10,835 --> 00:21:12,702
Just ignored them like normal.
428
00:21:15,306 --> 00:21:18,774
And then all of a sudden
it went from kind of dark
429
00:21:18,776 --> 00:21:22,111
To, like, midnight
black, almost.
430
00:21:22,113 --> 00:21:25,180
We were trying to open
up the doors of the truck
431
00:21:25,182 --> 00:21:28,650
And the winds were
just going too fast.
432
00:21:28,786 --> 00:21:33,255
And then my cousin, he was like,
whoa, the truck's tearing up.
433
00:21:33,391 --> 00:21:36,392
And then at that moment, the
truck flipped on its side
434
00:21:36,394 --> 00:21:39,795
And got sucked into the vortex.
435
00:21:39,797 --> 00:21:44,066
We could kind of hear
everything, like the hail
436
00:21:44,068 --> 00:21:45,935
Hitting the truck and stuff.
437
00:21:46,037 --> 00:21:50,406
It felt terrifying to
be in that tornado.
438
00:21:50,408 --> 00:21:54,810
You see, like, the wizard of oz,
and it's almost like that.
439
00:21:54,812 --> 00:22:01,083
But in real life, it's loud and
you don't know what's going on.
440
00:22:01,085 --> 00:22:03,685
Lage was sucked
out of the truck.
441
00:22:03,687 --> 00:22:06,155
I felt like I was
slipping out of the truck.
442
00:22:06,157 --> 00:22:07,757
I was holding on to
my grandma's hand,
443
00:22:07,759 --> 00:22:12,628
And then I felt the truck
land, like, the tires bounce.
444
00:22:12,763 --> 00:22:15,164
And I was like, ok.
445
00:22:15,299 --> 00:22:16,599
I'm alive, at least.
446
00:22:19,303 --> 00:22:22,438
All I felt was, like,
my ribs were broken.
447
00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:25,174
I realized that something
was actually in me.
448
00:22:25,309 --> 00:22:28,911
Most people are killed in
tornadoes by flying debris.
449
00:22:29,047 --> 00:22:31,180
Storm chaser: That's
the most violent motion.
450
00:22:31,315 --> 00:22:33,783
Kim klockow mcclain: Tornadoes
consist of anything the tornado
451
00:22:33,918 --> 00:22:36,852
Brings into the air.
452
00:22:36,987 --> 00:22:44,726
So often a lot of dust and
dirt and plants, branches.
453
00:22:44,862 --> 00:22:47,262
And then if it's a
more violent tornado,
454
00:22:47,264 --> 00:22:52,134
That can include debris like
planks of wood, shards of glass.
455
00:22:52,270 --> 00:22:53,469
Mason lillard: I
hear my grandma.
456
00:22:53,604 --> 00:22:55,270
Lage, lage.
457
00:22:55,272 --> 00:22:57,139
And I was like,
mama, I hear him.
458
00:22:57,275 --> 00:23:01,943
He was outside of the truck.
459
00:23:01,945 --> 00:23:05,948
It wasn't like a,
I'm here, or I'm ok.
460
00:23:06,084 --> 00:23:08,251
It was moaning.
461
00:23:11,755 --> 00:23:12,688
Storm chaser: Oh, no.
462
00:23:12,823 --> 00:23:15,491
There are the lines.
463
00:23:15,493 --> 00:23:16,826
Oh my god.
464
00:23:16,961 --> 00:23:17,627
Oh my god.
465
00:23:17,762 --> 00:23:20,229
Look at that.
466
00:23:20,231 --> 00:23:22,231
Harold brooks: One of the
things about a tornado
467
00:23:22,233 --> 00:23:24,900
Is that it's producing a lot
of small pieces of debris
468
00:23:24,902 --> 00:23:29,371
That are flying at, you
know, 150 miles an hour.
469
00:23:29,507 --> 00:23:33,442
And even ordinary objects,
dinner plates, two by fours,
470
00:23:33,444 --> 00:23:37,446
Become really, really deadly
at those kinds of high speeds.
471
00:23:37,581 --> 00:23:41,050
Jim riek: I knew
after joplin how
472
00:23:41,185 --> 00:23:44,386
Destructive a tornado could be.
473
00:23:44,388 --> 00:23:49,325
It was moving so slowly
that it was like a blender.
474
00:23:49,460 --> 00:23:55,064
Everything on the ground was
getting totally mixed together.
475
00:23:55,066 --> 00:23:59,468
And it just hits you again
and again and again and again.
476
00:23:59,570 --> 00:24:03,072
I saw a piece of
cardboard that actually
477
00:24:03,207 --> 00:24:06,676
Penetrated into the
exterior insulation
478
00:24:06,811 --> 00:24:09,611
Finish system on a school.
479
00:24:09,613 --> 00:24:14,550
At the hospital, they
had $1 million helicopter.
480
00:24:14,552 --> 00:24:16,818
All of the rotors are gone.
481
00:24:16,954 --> 00:24:22,491
If a rotor of a helicopter is
flying by at 100 miles an hour,
482
00:24:22,493 --> 00:24:25,928
What is that going to
do to a human body?
483
00:24:27,765 --> 00:24:29,431
Paul markowski: How
far the debris goes
484
00:24:29,433 --> 00:24:33,502
Is going to depend on
essentially how heavy it is.
485
00:24:33,504 --> 00:24:38,107
The heavier stuff gets
centrifuged out, so big chunks
486
00:24:38,109 --> 00:24:41,977
Of structures or automobiles.
487
00:24:41,979 --> 00:24:45,046
Lighter debris, though,
like a piece of paper,
488
00:24:45,048 --> 00:24:46,582
That won't get centrifuged out.
489
00:24:46,717 --> 00:24:49,184
That'll instead go up
through the funnel,
490
00:24:49,186 --> 00:24:53,388
Can end up reaching
altitudes of 40, 50,000 feet,
491
00:24:53,390 --> 00:24:56,792
And there certainly
testimonials out there,
492
00:24:56,794 --> 00:24:59,595
People finding pieces
of paper or photographs
493
00:24:59,597 --> 00:25:03,699
50 to 100 miles from their
origin in the wake of a tornado.
494
00:25:09,540 --> 00:25:11,340
Mason lillard: We thought
it was only, like, 20
495
00:25:11,475 --> 00:25:13,275
Minutes before help arrived.
496
00:25:13,277 --> 00:25:16,678
It ended up almost
being two hours.
497
00:25:16,814 --> 00:25:19,281
Jim riek: When the
paramedics came,
498
00:25:19,417 --> 00:25:25,020
They spotted lage first
because he's outside.
499
00:25:25,155 --> 00:25:28,424
They carried lage
out on a two by four,
500
00:25:28,559 --> 00:25:30,559
And they brought him
to the ambulance,
501
00:25:30,661 --> 00:25:35,430
And the paramedic jumped out
and said he's not gonna make it.
502
00:25:35,432 --> 00:25:38,099
The other ones were
trying to cut me out.
503
00:25:38,101 --> 00:25:40,435
I had a one inch
piece of angle iron
504
00:25:40,437 --> 00:25:43,438
Go through my right
shoulder, break seven ribs,
505
00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:45,775
Puncture my lower lung,
and come out my back.
506
00:25:45,910 --> 00:25:48,110
A fourth inch away from
my spine and a fourth inch
507
00:25:48,246 --> 00:25:50,112
Away from my liver.
508
00:25:50,248 --> 00:25:52,781
They ended up having
to use an electric saw.
509
00:25:52,784 --> 00:25:57,653
It felt like 5,000 bees
stinging me at one time.
510
00:25:57,655 --> 00:26:01,923
And I had arrived sitting on
the stretcher, sitting up.
511
00:26:02,059 --> 00:26:05,661
Once they took my cousin to the
hospital, they black tagged him
512
00:26:05,663 --> 00:26:06,862
And put him in the morgue.
513
00:26:06,864 --> 00:26:08,164
Left him for death.
514
00:26:11,803 --> 00:26:14,736
A nurse came in and
she touched his arm
515
00:26:14,872 --> 00:26:16,872
And he let out a
horrifying scream,
516
00:26:17,007 --> 00:26:20,409
And she grabbed a doctor,
said, I think we can save him.
517
00:26:20,544 --> 00:26:23,813
Two hours later,
he was in the or.
518
00:26:23,948 --> 00:26:27,883
After the tornado, I had
13 surgeries in total
519
00:26:27,885 --> 00:26:30,552
Over the course of three years.
520
00:26:30,554 --> 00:26:33,022
Lage was on the ventilator
for at least two weeks.
521
00:26:33,024 --> 00:26:38,694
He has a brace on his leg and he
can't really use his right arm.
522
00:26:38,829 --> 00:26:41,296
But he did survive.
523
00:26:41,431 --> 00:26:45,901
The may 22, 2011 tornado
killed 158 people directly,
524
00:26:45,903 --> 00:26:48,170
And there were three
indirect deaths.
525
00:26:48,306 --> 00:26:52,908
We did not know that we could
experience tornadoes this deadly
526
00:26:53,043 --> 00:26:54,043
In modern times.
527
00:27:03,025 --> 00:27:04,358
Harold brooks:
Nighttime tornadoes
528
00:27:04,493 --> 00:27:07,961
Are more dangerous than the
same tornado in the daytime,
529
00:27:08,063 --> 00:27:10,497
For a lot of reasons.
530
00:27:10,500 --> 00:27:13,300
We ascribe this to
the fact that people
531
00:27:13,435 --> 00:27:15,903
Are just less aware at night.
532
00:27:15,905 --> 00:27:18,339
[ominous music]
533
00:27:25,515 --> 00:27:27,647
I was chasing that day.
534
00:27:27,783 --> 00:27:29,917
What was that?
535
00:27:29,919 --> 00:27:31,852
Oh, I think I see it.
536
00:27:31,988 --> 00:27:34,187
I start to see the shape of
the tornado come into view.
537
00:27:34,189 --> 00:27:36,056
I know this is a
significant tornado.
538
00:27:36,192 --> 00:27:36,857
Oh, wow.
539
00:27:36,993 --> 00:27:38,258
That is huge.
540
00:27:38,394 --> 00:27:43,663
Holy [bleep] ok.
541
00:27:43,665 --> 00:27:44,464
Ok.
542
00:27:44,466 --> 00:27:46,400
Ok.
543
00:27:46,535 --> 00:27:47,935
We got it.
544
00:27:48,070 --> 00:27:50,470
And then I just see the
tornado, an absolute beast
545
00:27:50,472 --> 00:27:52,406
Marching off to the northeast.
546
00:27:52,507 --> 00:27:55,676
Ah, man, it's moving
towards populated area now.
547
00:27:58,347 --> 00:28:01,415
It was headed from
one small community
548
00:28:01,417 --> 00:28:03,417
To another small
community, and we
549
00:28:03,419 --> 00:28:07,888
Knew, based on where this was
going, if you draw a line,
550
00:28:08,024 --> 00:28:09,924
It's coming right to mayfield.
551
00:28:14,096 --> 00:28:18,298
The mayfield event was moving
at the upper end of tornado
552
00:28:18,434 --> 00:28:22,035
Speeds, 60, 65 miles an hour.
553
00:28:22,170 --> 00:28:26,440
This was something
that is very high end.
554
00:28:26,442 --> 00:28:28,508
Harold brooks: Speed
certainly can play an impact
555
00:28:28,510 --> 00:28:30,710
On how dangerous a tornado is.
556
00:28:30,712 --> 00:28:34,582
A faster tornado is gonna
give you less time to react.
557
00:28:34,717 --> 00:28:37,985
The speed at which the
tornado is going to move along
558
00:28:38,120 --> 00:28:41,054
Is going to roughly match
the speed that the parent
559
00:28:41,056 --> 00:28:44,124
Thunderstorm's moving along.
560
00:28:44,126 --> 00:28:48,395
In some cases, we've seen
storms move as fast as 60, 70,
561
00:28:48,497 --> 00:28:50,197
80 miles per hour
because they're
562
00:28:50,332 --> 00:28:54,334
Embedded in very strong winds.
563
00:28:54,470 --> 00:28:56,670
Allison chinchar: There
is one example of a man
564
00:28:56,805 --> 00:28:58,939
In illinois back in 2013.
565
00:28:59,075 --> 00:29:01,608
He's filming a tornado that
is off in the distance,
566
00:29:01,611 --> 00:29:03,811
But he quickly realizes
it's actually headed
567
00:29:03,946 --> 00:29:06,213
Right towards him and his home.
568
00:29:06,215 --> 00:29:07,014
Man: All right.
569
00:29:07,016 --> 00:29:07,815
I got to go.
570
00:29:07,817 --> 00:29:09,216
I'm coming, honey.
571
00:29:09,351 --> 00:29:11,284
Woman: [screams]
572
00:29:11,286 --> 00:29:13,153
Man: Aw, man.
573
00:29:13,289 --> 00:29:16,156
Woman: Oh my god!
574
00:29:16,158 --> 00:29:18,291
Allison chinchar: About
45 seconds later, he
575
00:29:18,293 --> 00:29:20,427
Gets the look at the
scope of the damage
576
00:29:20,429 --> 00:29:22,962
That's been done to his house.
577
00:29:22,964 --> 00:29:23,731
Man: Oh my god.
578
00:29:27,569 --> 00:29:30,437
Our house is freaking destroyed.
579
00:29:35,110 --> 00:29:36,510
Kim klockow mcclain:
The survivors
580
00:29:36,512 --> 00:29:39,713
I've spoken with, they
just experience what feels
581
00:29:39,848 --> 00:29:42,049
Like a building dissolving.
582
00:29:42,051 --> 00:29:44,918
One minute I was in a
building and the next
583
00:29:45,020 --> 00:29:46,720
Minute I just wasn't.
584
00:29:46,855 --> 00:29:48,121
Like a bomb has hit it.
585
00:29:48,256 --> 00:29:49,389
It's obliterated.
586
00:29:49,391 --> 00:29:51,859
[ominous music]
587
00:29:57,266 --> 00:29:59,533
Derek vaughan: So at
its maximum intensity,
588
00:29:59,535 --> 00:30:03,670
The peak winds were up
to 190 miles per hour.
589
00:30:03,673 --> 00:30:06,073
That's enough to just
destroy anything in its path.
590
00:30:06,208 --> 00:30:08,742
Nothing can stand up to that.
591
00:30:08,877 --> 00:30:11,879
You knew people were gonna
lose their lives that night.
592
00:30:11,881 --> 00:30:13,813
Once the tornado
approached mayfield,
593
00:30:13,949 --> 00:30:17,016
It came in from the
southwest side of town.
594
00:30:17,018 --> 00:30:18,686
Derek vaughan: I had a
few officers on shift
595
00:30:18,821 --> 00:30:19,953
With me that night.
596
00:30:20,088 --> 00:30:22,021
We had decided that we were
gonna go ahead and meet
597
00:30:22,023 --> 00:30:23,357
At the police department.
598
00:30:23,492 --> 00:30:25,893
The services all started
going down suddenly.
599
00:30:26,028 --> 00:30:28,696
The power in the
entire town went off.
600
00:30:28,831 --> 00:30:30,097
And of course,
when that happened,
601
00:30:30,232 --> 00:30:34,834
We knew that it was
probably about to hit.
602
00:30:34,970 --> 00:30:37,237
I remember officer simpson
went to the front window
603
00:30:37,373 --> 00:30:39,372
And he just yelled,
there's debris coming in.
604
00:30:39,374 --> 00:30:41,508
And as I watched him
turn and run towards us,
605
00:30:41,643 --> 00:30:45,044
The whole front of the building
just exploded inward on us.
606
00:30:45,046 --> 00:30:47,047
You almost couldn't even
tell which way it was up,
607
00:30:47,149 --> 00:30:49,049
There was much wind and debris.
608
00:30:49,151 --> 00:30:52,652
It was almost like
being underwater.
609
00:30:52,654 --> 00:30:54,454
Trent okerson: Mayfield
water and electric,
610
00:30:54,456 --> 00:31:00,660
Their facility was just on the
edge of the worst damage path.
611
00:31:00,662 --> 00:31:04,063
Even there, you saw the
massive amounts of debris
612
00:31:04,065 --> 00:31:06,734
That was blowing, pieces of
wood flying through the air
613
00:31:06,869 --> 00:31:09,937
Like missiles, and they
weren't even directly
614
00:31:10,072 --> 00:31:13,072
In the core of that tornado.
615
00:31:13,074 --> 00:31:15,675
One of the buildings that was
close to the police department
616
00:31:15,811 --> 00:31:18,411
That got hit real hard
was the f&b bank
617
00:31:18,413 --> 00:31:19,947
Right there on the court square.
618
00:31:23,151 --> 00:31:24,751
And all of a sudden, boom.
619
00:31:24,754 --> 00:31:28,087
The tornado hits.
620
00:31:28,089 --> 00:31:29,023
It's that fast.
621
00:31:33,028 --> 00:31:34,494
Trent okerson: The
candle factory is
622
00:31:34,496 --> 00:31:37,096
A major employer in mayfield.
623
00:31:37,098 --> 00:31:40,300
This was right before christmas,
and a lot of people that
624
00:31:40,436 --> 00:31:43,703
Were working extra hours
trying to do overtime,
625
00:31:43,839 --> 00:31:49,709
And their facility was
packed that Friday night.
626
00:31:49,845 --> 00:31:52,512
Autumn kirks: I was working
at mcp, the candle factory,
627
00:31:52,514 --> 00:31:53,981
That night.
628
00:31:53,983 --> 00:31:56,316
Me and joe did work
together at the factory.
629
00:31:56,318 --> 00:31:58,986
Usually they try not to
put couples together,
630
00:31:59,121 --> 00:32:02,055
But for some reason,
we've always made it work.
631
00:32:02,057 --> 00:32:03,723
He was so goofy.
632
00:32:03,725 --> 00:32:06,860
He'd do anything to put a
smile on anybody's face.
633
00:32:06,862 --> 00:32:08,996
Kim klockow mcclain: The
night of the storm, the couple
634
00:32:09,131 --> 00:32:11,464
Were sheltering together
when the tornado
635
00:32:11,466 --> 00:32:14,601
Hit the candle factory.
636
00:32:14,736 --> 00:32:16,736
I didn't hear a
single thing at all.
637
00:32:16,872 --> 00:32:18,338
All I heard was people talking.
638
00:32:18,340 --> 00:32:20,374
And then all of a sudden
someone said, take cover.
639
00:32:27,349 --> 00:32:29,016
Brad copeland: The
best way I can describe
640
00:32:29,018 --> 00:32:31,484
It would be a war zone.
641
00:32:31,486 --> 00:32:34,754
I remember thinking the amount
of force that could have caused
642
00:32:34,890 --> 00:32:36,556
That, you know,
how could anybody
643
00:32:36,558 --> 00:32:38,826
Survive what I was looking at.
644
00:32:38,961 --> 00:32:41,160
Autumn kirks: Joe and I
were 10 feet from each other
645
00:32:41,162 --> 00:32:43,363
When it first hit.
646
00:32:43,499 --> 00:32:45,499
Trent okerson: Kyanna
parsons was an employee there
647
00:32:45,634 --> 00:32:48,902
At the candle
factory, and kyanna
648
00:32:49,037 --> 00:32:51,771
Goes on facebook live
that night to try
649
00:32:51,773 --> 00:32:53,407
To get help from the outside.
650
00:33:30,682 --> 00:33:31,948
Storm chaser:
There's two of them.
651
00:33:32,084 --> 00:33:36,286
In 2011, we saw one of
those generational tornado
652
00:33:36,421 --> 00:33:39,088
Outbreaks that doesn't
happen in our country
653
00:33:39,223 --> 00:33:40,690
But every couple decades.
654
00:33:45,764 --> 00:33:49,699
Storm chaser: Oh,
dude, that looks wild.
655
00:33:49,701 --> 00:33:51,301
Storm chaser: Oh,
it's right there.
656
00:33:51,436 --> 00:33:52,702
That's that tornado right there.
657
00:33:52,837 --> 00:33:53,903
Storm chaser: [bleep]
658
00:33:54,038 --> 00:33:55,438
Harold brooks: April 27,
there end up
659
00:33:55,573 --> 00:33:57,240
Being a number of
storms that produce
660
00:33:57,375 --> 00:34:00,910
Tornadoes from
central mississippi
661
00:34:00,912 --> 00:34:02,578
Eastward through alabama.
662
00:34:02,714 --> 00:34:05,548
And many of those storms
produced multiple tornadoes.
663
00:34:10,121 --> 00:34:12,055
Just in the state
of alabama there were
664
00:34:12,190 --> 00:34:14,858
62 tornadoes that hit that day.
665
00:34:19,997 --> 00:34:22,131
Seems that every hour that
passes today, the news out
666
00:34:22,266 --> 00:34:23,500
Of the south just gets worse.
667
00:34:26,471 --> 00:34:28,538
Kim klockow mcclain: After
the alabama outbreak,
668
00:34:28,540 --> 00:34:31,474
There was kind of a
renaissance in our field
669
00:34:31,476 --> 00:34:34,077
Because we hadn't
experienced an event
670
00:34:34,212 --> 00:34:38,548
That deeply
catastrophic in so long.
671
00:34:38,550 --> 00:34:41,084
There were hundreds
of fatalities,
672
00:34:41,219 --> 00:34:44,420
And we hadn't lost that many
people in a tornado outbreak
673
00:34:44,556 --> 00:34:46,021
Since 1974.
674
00:34:46,023 --> 00:34:47,423
Storm chaser: Oh my god.
675
00:34:47,425 --> 00:34:51,494
Harold brooks: One of the silver
linings of the April 27 outbreak
676
00:34:51,496 --> 00:34:54,097
Was an understanding
that we need
677
00:34:54,232 --> 00:34:58,234
To do a whole lot more work
on social science with respect
678
00:34:58,370 --> 00:35:00,970
To forecasting.
679
00:35:00,972 --> 00:35:03,707
I describe myself as a
tornado epidemiologist.
680
00:35:03,808 --> 00:35:06,910
It's really someone
who tries to understand
681
00:35:07,045 --> 00:35:10,246
The circumstances that
lead someone to be
682
00:35:10,248 --> 00:35:12,248
Injured or die from something.
683
00:35:12,384 --> 00:35:16,119
What are the factors
that explain fatalities,
684
00:35:16,121 --> 00:35:18,521
And what kinds of
interventions can we
685
00:35:18,523 --> 00:35:21,324
Design, whether in our
communication system
686
00:35:21,459 --> 00:35:24,060
Or structurally in
our communities,
687
00:35:24,196 --> 00:35:26,662
To help mitigate that threat?
688
00:35:26,798 --> 00:35:30,666
Among the things studied was
the amount of time given to warn
689
00:35:30,802 --> 00:35:32,668
The public about tornadoes.
690
00:35:32,804 --> 00:35:35,739
A tornado warning is
issued when a storm is
691
00:35:35,874 --> 00:35:38,274
Either actively
producing a tornado
692
00:35:38,276 --> 00:35:42,946
Or it looks really likely to.
693
00:35:43,081 --> 00:35:45,949
And we're starting to explore
what is the right amount
694
00:35:46,084 --> 00:35:47,883
Of lead time to give people.
695
00:35:47,885 --> 00:35:50,219
What they figured
out was there is such
696
00:35:50,354 --> 00:35:52,221
A thing as too much lead time.
697
00:35:52,223 --> 00:35:54,890
If you give people
too much time, say,
698
00:35:54,892 --> 00:35:58,027
It's going to be 20 minutes
before the tornado arrives,
699
00:35:58,029 --> 00:36:00,229
Many people will
look out their window
700
00:36:00,231 --> 00:36:02,031
And see that it's
still blue skies.
701
00:36:02,166 --> 00:36:03,766
The storm hasn't
gotten there yet,
702
00:36:03,769 --> 00:36:05,435
And either they think
they have more time
703
00:36:05,570 --> 00:36:07,770
Than they do or
they think the storm
704
00:36:07,773 --> 00:36:10,039
Isn't really going to hit them.
705
00:36:10,041 --> 00:36:13,443
So there is such a thing
as too much lead time.
706
00:36:17,181 --> 00:36:21,250
Also what they're studying is
how people react to the warning
707
00:36:21,252 --> 00:36:22,652
They're given.
708
00:36:22,654 --> 00:36:25,789
Kim klockow mcclain: Fear is
a really challenging component
709
00:36:25,924 --> 00:36:27,056
Of this entire equation.
710
00:36:27,191 --> 00:36:29,793
There has been no
example I've seen
711
00:36:29,928 --> 00:36:33,462
That is clearer of
this fear effect
712
00:36:33,464 --> 00:36:38,334
Than what happened
in oklahoma in 2013.
713
00:36:38,336 --> 00:36:41,204
On may 20, we had the tornado
that went through oklahoma city
714
00:36:41,339 --> 00:36:44,674
And moore and killed
24 people, including
715
00:36:44,809 --> 00:36:47,210
Several children at a school.
716
00:36:47,345 --> 00:36:51,481
And after that, we had
just days and days of storms
717
00:36:51,616 --> 00:36:55,284
And everyone was just on edge.
718
00:36:55,286 --> 00:37:00,089
And when may 31, 2013,
a two mile wide tornado
719
00:37:00,224 --> 00:37:02,892
Hit el reno just west
of oklahoma city,
720
00:37:03,027 --> 00:37:06,696
We saw spontaneous
mass evacuation
721
00:37:06,831 --> 00:37:08,163
Ahead of that tornado.
722
00:37:08,165 --> 00:37:11,034
Highways were clogged
for over 30 miles.
723
00:37:11,036 --> 00:37:12,768
They found out
because of fear,
724
00:37:12,871 --> 00:37:16,039
People actually did the opposite
of what they're supposed to do.
725
00:37:16,174 --> 00:37:17,840
They fled their homes.
726
00:37:17,843 --> 00:37:19,843
They fled their
businesses, places that
727
00:37:19,978 --> 00:37:21,911
Normally would have been safe.
728
00:37:21,913 --> 00:37:26,382
When that happens in mass,
that becomes very dangerous.
729
00:37:26,384 --> 00:37:29,452
You end up getting stuck in
traffic as a tornado hits.
730
00:37:36,527 --> 00:37:38,394
Reporter: And we're still
waiting to hear word
731
00:37:38,530 --> 00:37:43,799
On what happened to
the 110 people who were
732
00:37:43,801 --> 00:37:46,269
Inside this candle factory.
733
00:37:48,539 --> 00:37:51,407
Derek vaughan: Once we were able
to get down there and assist,
734
00:37:51,409 --> 00:37:54,878
I saw that this whole
building was just gone.
735
00:38:13,965 --> 00:38:15,364
So one of the
things that you'll
736
00:38:15,499 --> 00:38:18,233
Notice if you see
kyanna's facebook video
737
00:38:18,235 --> 00:38:22,672
Was how resilient she was and
her efforts to stay positive.
738
00:38:57,675 --> 00:38:59,875
Kyanna parsons: I was under
the rubble approximately
739
00:38:59,877 --> 00:39:01,877
About three hours.
740
00:39:02,013 --> 00:39:04,680
I see one of the rescue
people, and I'm crying.
741
00:39:04,682 --> 00:39:05,948
I'm like, please don't leave me.
742
00:39:05,951 --> 00:39:09,152
He says, no, no, no,
we're not gonna leave you.
743
00:39:09,154 --> 00:39:13,489
A trooper that was at the top
grabbed my arm and he pulled.
744
00:39:13,625 --> 00:39:17,493
And so got out, and
every step I made,
745
00:39:17,495 --> 00:39:20,363
There was someone grabbing my
hand, someone grabbing my hand,
746
00:39:20,365 --> 00:39:22,465
And just there for me.
747
00:39:29,641 --> 00:39:30,840
Autumn kirks: It
felt like a wall
748
00:39:30,975 --> 00:39:33,976
On top of me and the
three girls next to me.
749
00:39:33,979 --> 00:39:37,446
And I don't know who it was, but
somebody came and lifted it up
750
00:39:37,448 --> 00:39:39,715
And got us all out.
751
00:39:39,717 --> 00:39:43,919
The minute I actually got
out, I fell to my knees
752
00:39:44,055 --> 00:39:50,659
And just broke because I
had no idea where joe was.
753
00:39:50,661 --> 00:39:52,928
I wanted to go back
and look for him.
754
00:39:52,930 --> 00:39:55,998
I was told I was not allowed.
755
00:39:56,001 --> 00:39:59,869
It hit Friday night,
and at 9:30 Monday
756
00:40:00,004 --> 00:40:02,338
Morning his mom called me.
757
00:40:02,474 --> 00:40:05,340
She's like, autumn,
they found him.
758
00:40:05,342 --> 00:40:09,212
I'm like-- and I had hope
for all of two seconds.
759
00:40:09,347 --> 00:40:13,015
She's like, autumn,
he didn't make it.
760
00:40:13,018 --> 00:40:15,551
I wish I could go
back to not knowing
761
00:40:15,553 --> 00:40:19,555
Because there was hope that,
hey, they might still find him.
762
00:40:19,691 --> 00:40:24,093
I just-- I pray that nobody
else has to go through this.
763
00:40:24,095 --> 00:40:25,761
Trent okerson: We have
so much technology,
764
00:40:25,897 --> 00:40:31,300
We have the ability to control
so much in our lives these days.
765
00:40:31,435 --> 00:40:33,636
You still can't
control mother nature.
766
00:40:33,771 --> 00:40:35,838
You can't control a tornado.
767
00:40:35,840 --> 00:40:37,773
You can't control what it does.
768
00:40:37,775 --> 00:40:42,711
And no matter how
prepared you may be,
769
00:40:42,713 --> 00:40:46,149
You're still at the mercy of
what these storms decide to do.
770
00:40:53,591 --> 00:40:54,924
Autumn kirks: I
have a very healthy
771
00:40:55,059 --> 00:40:58,794
Respect for mother nature and
tornadoes and what they can do.
772
00:40:58,796 --> 00:41:00,263
It can ruin your entire life.
773
00:41:00,398 --> 00:41:02,265
It can destroy
everything you know.
774
00:41:08,873 --> 00:41:12,608
In 2011, after
the joplin tornado,
775
00:41:12,744 --> 00:41:16,479
Amber munson had lost her
house, most of her possessions,
776
00:41:16,481 --> 00:41:19,482
And all of her
treasured photographs.
777
00:41:19,617 --> 00:41:22,285
But months later, a miracle.
778
00:41:22,386 --> 00:41:26,089
There was a craigslist post from
a stranger over 50 miles away
779
00:41:26,224 --> 00:41:29,224
Who had found a
photograph in their yard.
780
00:41:29,226 --> 00:41:32,161
It was a picture sucked
up by the tornado.
781
00:41:32,163 --> 00:41:34,229
A baby photo of amber.
782
00:41:34,231 --> 00:41:36,431
The only one to survive.
783
00:41:36,433 --> 00:41:39,568
The woman mailed it back
to amber along with $5,
784
00:41:39,570 --> 00:41:42,437
All she could afford, but
wanted to give to help
785
00:41:42,439 --> 00:41:44,907
Amber start her life over.
786
00:41:45,042 --> 00:41:48,511
For more information on what you
can do in a tornado and what you
787
00:41:48,513 --> 00:41:51,314
Can do to help combat the
growing climate crisis,
788
00:41:51,449 --> 00:41:54,650
Go to cnn.Com/violentearth.
789
00:41:54,652 --> 00:41:56,118
I'm liev schreiber.
790
00:41:56,121 --> 00:41:57,386
Thanks for watching.
791
00:41:57,388 --> 00:41:59,055
Good night.
65660
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.