Night of the Twisters-Chasing the Dallas, Texas EF3 Tornado
The night was October 20th, 2019. The year was late, but the seasons were changing. This combination would lead to a spark in severe weather. Originally, this weekend was supposed to be about meteors as a shower was peaking late on that Sunday night. My friend David Baxter, who'm had also just recently moved to Colorado was planning to come down to Colorado Springs to grab beer, and have a chill night of taking photos. However, the night before (Saturday) I had a restless evening and noticed their was a "slight risk" of severe weather highlighted by the Storm Prediction Center with a 5% risk of tornadoes highlighted for Southeast, Oklahoma and into Northeast, Texas along the Red River. For giggles, I looked at the 3k NAM high res models and it looked about how I imagined a late season setup to look. Instant squall line with likely embedded tornadoes throughout along the Cold Front.
However, diving a little deeper into things it became apparent that the possibility of some Warm Air Advection storms firing ahead of the Cold Front in the open, and overall potent warm sector was a real possibility despite cam models showing an instant squall line. I messaged David stating that I think my plans were going to change, and that he should come with me down to Texas. Almost every sounding one would pull near the front where storms were a sure bet showed very little in the way of backing. Leading one to believe that our theory was correct. However, a small area near Ardmore, Oklahoma down to Dallas, Texas showed an enhanced area of low level turning and a high helicity zone. But, initiation was questionable at best as the strongest shear lingered well to the North and West.
There was also another concern of VBV (veer back veer). I have never scored on a day where this was present as storms just continuously fire on its flank before it can produce. So, it didn't exactly make me optimistic. The VBV was not incredibly bad, but on the hodographs it was very obvious this was going to be an issue if storms did fire in this Warm Sector. It did however seem to improve around the 3z hour and became less apparent on soundings I pulled in the same general area from Ardmore to Denton.
David and I sat down at a local Buffalo Wild Wings Saturday night pouring over data trying to decide if it would be worth the grind or not. David worked at 3pm on Monday and I had to work at 5pm so neither one of us were going to get much, if any sleep at all and in Order for David to be back in time we would have to leave our target (which at the time was looking like the Ardmore area) no later than 11pm. After some wings, and a motivational beer we both looked at each other and said "screw it, lets go for it" and thus the all night grind began.
As soon as we crossed the border into Texas, we had to proceed with the chaser tradition and get some late night all sup burritos for good luck as we continued our way towards Amarillo. I had messaged Stephen Jones that we were coming down and he should join us as his car was out of commission. This was also convenient as David and I could get a nap in before the chase so we at least had some rest. So, we set course for Moore, Oklahoma and could just drop South on I35 out of there towards Ardmore.
1am CDT rolled around and to our surprise the SPC had highlighted a 10% area for tornadoes. However, I stated that I still thought that the highest tornado potential was going to be just outside of this area and a little further West than the models were showing. For whatever reason, for this chase I was extremely confident in my decision making. Potentially because of my Jay Em, Wyoming forecast just a month before on another questionable tornado day that resulted in 7 tornadoes of all shapes and sizes documented. But, for now our course was still set for Ardmore.
The sun was now rising, and we rounded the OKC skyline almost to Stephen's house to get our well earned nap. After we would wake from our slumber we checked models and the CAMs were still bone dry for the Warm Sector and still were set on an instant squall line along the Cold Front. It was also becoming apparent that this was going to become a night chase. Partially due to the time of year and also due to the trough slowing down. However, this would be crucial in storm development later.
Stephen, David, and myself departed Moore around 3pm and began our trek South towards Ardmore after picking up some snacks at the local Pilot Truck Stop. We arrived at a Walmart in town and about 30 minutes after arriving a CU field was rapidly developing a little earlier than expected and in the Warm Sector and we quickly started making our way South and crossed into Texas and were taking aim at the town of Denton to post up in. On the drive down there, a took a quick check of the HRRR out of curiosity and my eyes about popped out of my head. Because, after being dry all day the latest run showed two, massive supercells trucking right through downtown DFW (Dallas Fort Worth). Were we really about to go against all odds and score big? Time would soon tell! We were in the 2% area afterall, over 10 hours from home, and heading for a major metro area.
As we were about an hour out from our new area of interest Denton storms began to erupt well ahead of the Cold Front. I mentioned in a group chat earlier that morning that this setup kind of reminded me of the Rowlett, Texas day where an EF4 tornado ripped through the city the day after Christmas. While not quite as potent the circumstances were similar. Questionable pre frontal storms, but loads of shear to work with near the Dallas metro area. I pulled up IR satellite imagery and noticed the trough was digging deeper than models had forecasted which would explain why the trough appeared to be slowing down with later initiation.
I thought for a minute, we were going to have a shocking shot at sunset tornado potential. Our storm was already severe warned, showed early signs of rotation, had plenty of room to breathe, and our first glimpse of the storms updraft was nothing short of impressive.
Although, our enthusiasm was short lived. Storm, after storm continued to fire in the inflow region before the storm could breathe long enough to produce a tornado. Something we feared due to the subtle VBV in place. It took a lot of planing for our attack on these storms. Two, distinct supercells were approaching the Dallas metro area and picking which storm was going to be crucial as the time for decision making was small due to traffic. For some reason again, I was very confident in the Northern storm. Previous experience told me based on radar the Northern cell was the one that was most sustained. The Southern storm, to me looked as if it was more of an LP (Low Precipitation) supercell and I did not want to head down there yet. It was easier to drop South rather than try and get back North if our storm did anything. We all mutually agreed to head back North towards Denton and drop Southeast on 35E to stay upstream of both storms until a tornado looked imminent.
This parking lot would be where we sat. Thinking for sure we had driven all the way down here for nothing. Not even structure. At this point, we had been chasing this storm for well over an hour. Watching cycle, after cycle, after cycle fail and I honestly wasn't sure how much more this storm had left in it. Everytime it looked like it was about to produce it would have another storm crash into its inflow region. Or have another storm erupt on its flank. The storms core began to approach our location. Discouraged, we decided to give it one last chance as it looked like it was about to undergo another cell merger. I remember mumbling to David "its this cycle or bust in my opinion". We jumped back onto the tollway South and began our approach to the vault region on the supercell.
As we got ready to merge onto 635 we cleared the precip core and I yelled "holy sh.t!". As I got a view of the extremely carved out, and well structured mesocyclone. I hadn't looked at radar in a hot minute and I heard Stephen in the back go "uhhhhh......this storm is getting a really big hook on it" and as we took our exit onto the interstate I saw the first powerflash. At this point and time, I wasn't sure if it was a tornado related power flash. Or simply gusty winds moving through the metro area. Then another followed, and another, and another. These all occurred in the same area and it was obvious a tornado was ongoing at this point despite their being no tornado warning yet.
We hopped off of 635 and began navigating the city streets. The time to pounce was now. North of the hook, we trekked West on Preston Ave (remember that name) as power flashes continued to go off. Street lights, trees, and buildings continued to block our view and frustration continued to build. We finally stopped, ready to turn around if need be. The air was eerily still. The lights went out, but traffic continued moving as if it were a normal day. As I hung out the window attempting to get any glimpse of the now confirmed tornado on the ground. Stephen had been navigating as I tried to confirm a visual site and David drove when a powerflash went off just to our Southwest. I mumbled "are we sure we are okay here?" and it was almost as if I had awoke a sleeping beast and it was preparing its attack. Because, just moments after I said this, ghostly rain began to fall, and I noticed a little sign come ripping by towards where the tornado would be. This is when the situation would become very chaotic as I knew we were now in staring down the barrel of a gun. Its also at this time, that serves as a reminder especially to the new chasers out there of why situational awareness, and escape route planning are so crucial. Especially in these situations.
"turn around, turn around right now!" I shouted at David as I looked at the latest radar update and the couplet was baring down on our exact position. David, doing a fantastic job under the stressful conditions immediately flipped around and we hauled it back East and stopped on the bridge over the tollway. I rolled down my window to see if I can finally get a view of this tornado and then......the roar. The bone chilling roar. Like a mythical beast charging through the woods and all you can see are trees getting toppled. Then, multiple power flashes lit up a cone tornado just behind us lurking a few blocks away as it ripped through the heavily populated Dallas metro area.
Pictured above is one of the many Fire Stations located in this area. Just moments after we zipped by the station was completely destroyed by the tornado. The tornado was literally trailing us from behind right down Preston ave. Everything we were passing was being destroyed less than 2 minutes later. I'll never forget driving past a shopping center and seeing the elusive ghost trail reflecting off of all the buildings as the tornado approached. Moments later, this shopping center was completely destroyed. I quickly realized that this tornado was now on a due Easterly course and we needed to find a South option to bail out, and get out of its way. Due to traffic, and lights we were not going to stay ahead of this thing for long and in these situations, seconds are precious. You see me pan the camera down, as I take a quick glance at maps to ensure when I do find a South option, it wouldn't be a critical error and lead us down a dead end road. Similar to what happened to me in Hattiesburg. Thinking about all of this, in this kind of situation is way harder than I can describe. But, its something that needs to be done if you choose to be an aggressive chaser. Especially as a strong tornado is baring down on a city.
What seemed like an eternity, but actually ended up only being a few minutes we got to our South road and gunned it out of the tornadoes path. Once we cleared the outer circulation, we flipped a U Turn and the beast finally revealed itself. "Big, black tornado!!" Stephen shouted as a lightning flash illuminated a quarter wide monster with a tremendous amount of debris in the air just 4 blocks ahead and strong barrel motion under the right side as it tore through multiple housing developments and continued its rampage.
As we scrambled back North in an attempt to catch another view of the tornado a giant piece of wood fell out of the sky as David said "NAILS!" with no time to react and ran right over it, puncturing two of our tires. Shortly after is when my heart sank. "oh my God....oh my God....we gotta go into search and rescue" a few more short, quiet seconds go by and we get into the worst part of the damage path. "oh no" is all I could say. Debris, still falling out of the sky we slowed to a haul. Cut off by debris with the tornado looming above the heavily damaged housing development. Almost as if it was saying "look what I did" as it continued to dance and drift off to the East. Like something you'd see out of a movie about a mentally unstable Villon.
This intersection (which would later be confirmed by damage survey crews to be the hardest hit area as the tornado reached maximum intensity and width) was the same intersection we fled South on just moments before the tornado ripped through. Something, that I'll remember forever. If not for our situational awareness, keeping calm and finding a route out of there. The results very well could have been dyer.
Just ahead, you can see the blinking red light indicating the intersection we fled South on as the RFD now came swooping in. It was at this time the PDS Tornado Warning came out for the Garland area. This was the same area that was hit by the EF4 tornado 4 years ago and sent a chill down my spine as I mentioned the night prior this setup reminded me a lot of that setup.
The rain began to clear and the screams for help began and I started having flashbacks to my Hattiesburg, Mississippi ordeal. Having been through this before, I immediately took charge (which I would later apologize for because I felt kinda bad for being so abrupt with everything). I told David to pull into the development as far as he could and when we stopped gave each person their job. "Stephen, stay here and watch the car just in case. David, you search right and i'll search left" and I jumped out of the car going door to door shouting "does anybody need help?!?" as I was fully expecting to come across the worst case scenario. Many homes I checked I didn't get answers. Then, after a few long minutes people finally started to emerge and I could finally get collected and see who was home and who wasn't. To my pleasant surprise, everyone I was coming across other than some bruises, and minor scratches were okay. I went up a good quarter mile before running back towards the vehicle to get an update on David's side. This is when a woman, who was obviously in shock came out of one of the nearby houses to us. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed a ride to the hospital. She declined and then shouted "ahhh sh.t, f.ck this!". In these situations, you have to just let people talk and say whatever it is they need to say. I asked one more time "everyone is safe right?" (referring to her family) and she clarified they were but didn't know about her neighbors house to the right of theirs. So, I quickly ran up their driveway to knock on the door. But, before I could get there I rounded a big pile of debris and they were in the process of exiting their home. Also in shock, the woman replied with "my windows are busted out" after me asking if she was okay and asking if she had any cuts or injuries anywhere. Again, in these situations you can't criticize or chuckle at what people say. Because, even they don't know what they are saying and are trying to process it all. I asked one more time if she was sure she was okay and I got yet another "yeah, but my windows are gone" reply. I simply said "Yes ma'am, it passed just South of here".
At this point, we had done all we could do and it was time to move onto the next neighborhood. Although, after the time we spent here and the quick response time by EMS there wasn't much else in the ways of help we could provide. So, now it was time to start dealing with our flat tires situation. We pulled over where we could find a gas station that had power, well outside of the damage path as our PSI continued to plummet. David had a full sized spare tire, however our problem was it was apparent we had punctured two tires. We both had to work the following day, and David couldn't miss it due to it being a new job. The front left tire was the obvious one that was toast as their was a huge slash through the rubber. The front right tire however, appeared to "only" have a slow leak. Which, when we got home ended up having 7 holes in it. So, our plan was to just keep filling it up as many times as it took while we hobbled our way back to Colorado. I'll never forget, when we got back onto the interstate to head back towards Oklahoma City to drop Stephen off hearing this ungodly news and was like "What the hell is that?". That's when I glanced over, and a car that obviously was in the damage path earlier was riding on all 4 rims down the highway.
We bumped into friends near the town of Ardmore, Oklahoma at a truck stop (which unfortunately, we couldn't spend much time at because we were really crunching for time to get back) and all gave each other hugs after we all collected ourselves and said that we were all okay. I remember a few people messaging me asking if I was okay, as the whole ordeal was ongoing after they sent a screenshot of my Spotter Network icon essentially inside the debris ball and couplet. Which, honestly was reassuring to see people cared enough to check in on us.
I think we filled up our injured tire a total of 10 times before we finally arrived back in Colorado Springs. Which was honestly pretty exhausting and stressful as there are long stretches without much of anything in Texas and New Mexico. But, I had never been happier to be home and pass out for a couple hours before work but boy, did I have a story to tell. "So, what did you do on your day off?". Oh, nothing much. Just drove to Dallas, saw an insane tornado and then drove back. People already thought I was nuts there, but this just further confirmed that. But, some even appreciated the passion and drive that I had to even do that. This was also my first October tornado and my 11th month out of 12 to see a tornado in. All that is left is July.
However, diving a little deeper into things it became apparent that the possibility of some Warm Air Advection storms firing ahead of the Cold Front in the open, and overall potent warm sector was a real possibility despite cam models showing an instant squall line. I messaged David stating that I think my plans were going to change, and that he should come with me down to Texas. Almost every sounding one would pull near the front where storms were a sure bet showed very little in the way of backing. Leading one to believe that our theory was correct. However, a small area near Ardmore, Oklahoma down to Dallas, Texas showed an enhanced area of low level turning and a high helicity zone. But, initiation was questionable at best as the strongest shear lingered well to the North and West.
There was also another concern of VBV (veer back veer). I have never scored on a day where this was present as storms just continuously fire on its flank before it can produce. So, it didn't exactly make me optimistic. The VBV was not incredibly bad, but on the hodographs it was very obvious this was going to be an issue if storms did fire in this Warm Sector. It did however seem to improve around the 3z hour and became less apparent on soundings I pulled in the same general area from Ardmore to Denton.
David and I sat down at a local Buffalo Wild Wings Saturday night pouring over data trying to decide if it would be worth the grind or not. David worked at 3pm on Monday and I had to work at 5pm so neither one of us were going to get much, if any sleep at all and in Order for David to be back in time we would have to leave our target (which at the time was looking like the Ardmore area) no later than 11pm. After some wings, and a motivational beer we both looked at each other and said "screw it, lets go for it" and thus the all night grind began.
As soon as we crossed the border into Texas, we had to proceed with the chaser tradition and get some late night all sup burritos for good luck as we continued our way towards Amarillo. I had messaged Stephen Jones that we were coming down and he should join us as his car was out of commission. This was also convenient as David and I could get a nap in before the chase so we at least had some rest. So, we set course for Moore, Oklahoma and could just drop South on I35 out of there towards Ardmore.
1am CDT rolled around and to our surprise the SPC had highlighted a 10% area for tornadoes. However, I stated that I still thought that the highest tornado potential was going to be just outside of this area and a little further West than the models were showing. For whatever reason, for this chase I was extremely confident in my decision making. Potentially because of my Jay Em, Wyoming forecast just a month before on another questionable tornado day that resulted in 7 tornadoes of all shapes and sizes documented. But, for now our course was still set for Ardmore.
The sun was now rising, and we rounded the OKC skyline almost to Stephen's house to get our well earned nap. After we would wake from our slumber we checked models and the CAMs were still bone dry for the Warm Sector and still were set on an instant squall line along the Cold Front. It was also becoming apparent that this was going to become a night chase. Partially due to the time of year and also due to the trough slowing down. However, this would be crucial in storm development later.
Stephen, David, and myself departed Moore around 3pm and began our trek South towards Ardmore after picking up some snacks at the local Pilot Truck Stop. We arrived at a Walmart in town and about 30 minutes after arriving a CU field was rapidly developing a little earlier than expected and in the Warm Sector and we quickly started making our way South and crossed into Texas and were taking aim at the town of Denton to post up in. On the drive down there, a took a quick check of the HRRR out of curiosity and my eyes about popped out of my head. Because, after being dry all day the latest run showed two, massive supercells trucking right through downtown DFW (Dallas Fort Worth). Were we really about to go against all odds and score big? Time would soon tell! We were in the 2% area afterall, over 10 hours from home, and heading for a major metro area.
As we were about an hour out from our new area of interest Denton storms began to erupt well ahead of the Cold Front. I mentioned in a group chat earlier that morning that this setup kind of reminded me of the Rowlett, Texas day where an EF4 tornado ripped through the city the day after Christmas. While not quite as potent the circumstances were similar. Questionable pre frontal storms, but loads of shear to work with near the Dallas metro area. I pulled up IR satellite imagery and noticed the trough was digging deeper than models had forecasted which would explain why the trough appeared to be slowing down with later initiation.
Above, I sent to a friend of the storm I thought would be the one of the day if any were going to produce. Which ended up being just that. I could tell early on it had that "look" of a tornado producer. However, there was still that VBV issue we had to get worked out and wondered if it would kill our tornado chances despite storms looking impressive early on.
Although, our enthusiasm was short lived. Storm, after storm continued to fire in the inflow region before the storm could breathe long enough to produce a tornado. Something we feared due to the subtle VBV in place. It took a lot of planing for our attack on these storms. Two, distinct supercells were approaching the Dallas metro area and picking which storm was going to be crucial as the time for decision making was small due to traffic. For some reason again, I was very confident in the Northern storm. Previous experience told me based on radar the Northern cell was the one that was most sustained. The Southern storm, to me looked as if it was more of an LP (Low Precipitation) supercell and I did not want to head down there yet. It was easier to drop South rather than try and get back North if our storm did anything. We all mutually agreed to head back North towards Denton and drop Southeast on 35E to stay upstream of both storms until a tornado looked imminent.
This parking lot would be where we sat. Thinking for sure we had driven all the way down here for nothing. Not even structure. At this point, we had been chasing this storm for well over an hour. Watching cycle, after cycle, after cycle fail and I honestly wasn't sure how much more this storm had left in it. Everytime it looked like it was about to produce it would have another storm crash into its inflow region. Or have another storm erupt on its flank. The storms core began to approach our location. Discouraged, we decided to give it one last chance as it looked like it was about to undergo another cell merger. I remember mumbling to David "its this cycle or bust in my opinion". We jumped back onto the tollway South and began our approach to the vault region on the supercell.
As we got ready to merge onto 635 we cleared the precip core and I yelled "holy sh.t!". As I got a view of the extremely carved out, and well structured mesocyclone. I hadn't looked at radar in a hot minute and I heard Stephen in the back go "uhhhhh......this storm is getting a really big hook on it" and as we took our exit onto the interstate I saw the first powerflash. At this point and time, I wasn't sure if it was a tornado related power flash. Or simply gusty winds moving through the metro area. Then another followed, and another, and another. These all occurred in the same area and it was obvious a tornado was ongoing at this point despite their being no tornado warning yet.
"turn around, turn around right now!" I shouted at David as I looked at the latest radar update and the couplet was baring down on our exact position. David, doing a fantastic job under the stressful conditions immediately flipped around and we hauled it back East and stopped on the bridge over the tollway. I rolled down my window to see if I can finally get a view of this tornado and then......the roar. The bone chilling roar. Like a mythical beast charging through the woods and all you can see are trees getting toppled. Then, multiple power flashes lit up a cone tornado just behind us lurking a few blocks away as it ripped through the heavily populated Dallas metro area.
Pictured above is one of the many Fire Stations located in this area. Just moments after we zipped by the station was completely destroyed by the tornado. The tornado was literally trailing us from behind right down Preston ave. Everything we were passing was being destroyed less than 2 minutes later. I'll never forget driving past a shopping center and seeing the elusive ghost trail reflecting off of all the buildings as the tornado approached. Moments later, this shopping center was completely destroyed. I quickly realized that this tornado was now on a due Easterly course and we needed to find a South option to bail out, and get out of its way. Due to traffic, and lights we were not going to stay ahead of this thing for long and in these situations, seconds are precious. You see me pan the camera down, as I take a quick glance at maps to ensure when I do find a South option, it wouldn't be a critical error and lead us down a dead end road. Similar to what happened to me in Hattiesburg. Thinking about all of this, in this kind of situation is way harder than I can describe. But, its something that needs to be done if you choose to be an aggressive chaser. Especially as a strong tornado is baring down on a city.
What seemed like an eternity, but actually ended up only being a few minutes we got to our South road and gunned it out of the tornadoes path. Once we cleared the outer circulation, we flipped a U Turn and the beast finally revealed itself. "Big, black tornado!!" Stephen shouted as a lightning flash illuminated a quarter wide monster with a tremendous amount of debris in the air just 4 blocks ahead and strong barrel motion under the right side as it tore through multiple housing developments and continued its rampage.
As we scrambled back North in an attempt to catch another view of the tornado a giant piece of wood fell out of the sky as David said "NAILS!" with no time to react and ran right over it, puncturing two of our tires. Shortly after is when my heart sank. "oh my God....oh my God....we gotta go into search and rescue" a few more short, quiet seconds go by and we get into the worst part of the damage path. "oh no" is all I could say. Debris, still falling out of the sky we slowed to a haul. Cut off by debris with the tornado looming above the heavily damaged housing development. Almost as if it was saying "look what I did" as it continued to dance and drift off to the East. Like something you'd see out of a movie about a mentally unstable Villon.
This intersection (which would later be confirmed by damage survey crews to be the hardest hit area as the tornado reached maximum intensity and width) was the same intersection we fled South on just moments before the tornado ripped through. Something, that I'll remember forever. If not for our situational awareness, keeping calm and finding a route out of there. The results very well could have been dyer.
Just ahead, you can see the blinking red light indicating the intersection we fled South on as the RFD now came swooping in. It was at this time the PDS Tornado Warning came out for the Garland area. This was the same area that was hit by the EF4 tornado 4 years ago and sent a chill down my spine as I mentioned the night prior this setup reminded me a lot of that setup.
The rain began to clear and the screams for help began and I started having flashbacks to my Hattiesburg, Mississippi ordeal. Having been through this before, I immediately took charge (which I would later apologize for because I felt kinda bad for being so abrupt with everything). I told David to pull into the development as far as he could and when we stopped gave each person their job. "Stephen, stay here and watch the car just in case. David, you search right and i'll search left" and I jumped out of the car going door to door shouting "does anybody need help?!?" as I was fully expecting to come across the worst case scenario. Many homes I checked I didn't get answers. Then, after a few long minutes people finally started to emerge and I could finally get collected and see who was home and who wasn't. To my pleasant surprise, everyone I was coming across other than some bruises, and minor scratches were okay. I went up a good quarter mile before running back towards the vehicle to get an update on David's side. This is when a woman, who was obviously in shock came out of one of the nearby houses to us. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed a ride to the hospital. She declined and then shouted "ahhh sh.t, f.ck this!". In these situations, you have to just let people talk and say whatever it is they need to say. I asked one more time "everyone is safe right?" (referring to her family) and she clarified they were but didn't know about her neighbors house to the right of theirs. So, I quickly ran up their driveway to knock on the door. But, before I could get there I rounded a big pile of debris and they were in the process of exiting their home. Also in shock, the woman replied with "my windows are busted out" after me asking if she was okay and asking if she had any cuts or injuries anywhere. Again, in these situations you can't criticize or chuckle at what people say. Because, even they don't know what they are saying and are trying to process it all. I asked one more time if she was sure she was okay and I got yet another "yeah, but my windows are gone" reply. I simply said "Yes ma'am, it passed just South of here".
At this point, we had done all we could do and it was time to move onto the next neighborhood. Although, after the time we spent here and the quick response time by EMS there wasn't much else in the ways of help we could provide. So, now it was time to start dealing with our flat tires situation. We pulled over where we could find a gas station that had power, well outside of the damage path as our PSI continued to plummet. David had a full sized spare tire, however our problem was it was apparent we had punctured two tires. We both had to work the following day, and David couldn't miss it due to it being a new job. The front left tire was the obvious one that was toast as their was a huge slash through the rubber. The front right tire however, appeared to "only" have a slow leak. Which, when we got home ended up having 7 holes in it. So, our plan was to just keep filling it up as many times as it took while we hobbled our way back to Colorado. I'll never forget, when we got back onto the interstate to head back towards Oklahoma City to drop Stephen off hearing this ungodly news and was like "What the hell is that?". That's when I glanced over, and a car that obviously was in the damage path earlier was riding on all 4 rims down the highway.
We bumped into friends near the town of Ardmore, Oklahoma at a truck stop (which unfortunately, we couldn't spend much time at because we were really crunching for time to get back) and all gave each other hugs after we all collected ourselves and said that we were all okay. I remember a few people messaging me asking if I was okay, as the whole ordeal was ongoing after they sent a screenshot of my Spotter Network icon essentially inside the debris ball and couplet. Which, honestly was reassuring to see people cared enough to check in on us.
I think we filled up our injured tire a total of 10 times before we finally arrived back in Colorado Springs. Which was honestly pretty exhausting and stressful as there are long stretches without much of anything in Texas and New Mexico. But, I had never been happier to be home and pass out for a couple hours before work but boy, did I have a story to tell. "So, what did you do on your day off?". Oh, nothing much. Just drove to Dallas, saw an insane tornado and then drove back. People already thought I was nuts there, but this just further confirmed that. But, some even appreciated the passion and drive that I had to even do that. This was also my first October tornado and my 11th month out of 12 to see a tornado in. All that is left is July.
Pictured above is what you call a picture perfect forecast for a chaser. Against all odds on what looked to be an overall questionable day we made the 13 hour drive down, targeted outside the highest risk area, and chose the correct storm of the day. This being on the tail of my Jay Em, Wyoming forecast I couldn't have been happier with my confidence and hope to keep the ball rolling into 2020.
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