On this episode of the StormReel podcast, The Weather Channel's Mike Bettes joins Gabe and Jeremy to share about memorable events he has covered during his 30 years as a broadcast meteorologist. Mike discusses the shock and heartbreak of being first on the scene after the 2011 Joplin, MO EF5 tornado, the terror of his vehicle being tossed by the 2013 El Reno tornado - the largest tornado on record - and of nearly being hit by a surprise tornado while covering Hurricane Irma live in Florida in 2017. He also talks candidly about his mental health journey, the process of recovering from PTST that resulted from the traumatic events in El Reno, and the importance of recognizing the moments when we need to pause and ask for help.

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WeatherStar 4000+ | Joplin, MO Aftermath Coverage | Inside the El Reno Tornado | Tornado During Hurricane Irma's Eyewall | 2024 National Storm Chaser Summit Talk on Mental Health

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Music: Metamerism - Auragraph
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On this episode of the StormReel podcast, Gabe and Jeremy catch up on the last 3 years of life, and the personal journeys they've been on since the last episode. The two also share the story behind a wild 24-hour storm marathon in Colorado that ended with a tornado forming directly in front of their chase vehicle near the town of Akron. The episode a lesson in persistence and allowing necessary healing in all aspects of life.

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Akron, CO Tornado Short Documentary

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Music: Metamerism - Auragraph
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The Tornado Trackers Podcast is back with a new season and a new name. We are now StormReel: a podcast about the intersection of people and weather. While the name is new, we'll be bringing back all of the things you loved in our first two seasons, like our own personal stories of tornado and hurricane chases, guests from around the world to chime in on all things weather, and some new ideas we have brewing (like a well-sculpted supercell) as well. So be sure to hit that follow/subscribe button and come along for the next chapter in this stormy journey!

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Music: Metamerism - Auragraph
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For partnership opportunities, contact our team: stormreel@gmail.com

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After a long break, the Tornado Trackers Podcast is back with a new episode detailing the reasons for the long break along with a behind-the-scenes look at two epic storm chasing days from this spring. Jeff and Gabe share stories from the busy start to the 2022 Central Texas tornado season and what went into tracking two tornadoes that occurred too close to home: the March 21st Round Rock - Granger EF2 and the April 12th Salado EF3.

The long-track Round Rock - Granger tornado was a pivotal moment for the team as Jeff and Gabe were able to, for the first time, live stream a close range intercept on the local news, giving residents real-time visuals of the rare, large tornado that remained on the ground for over 35 miles.

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4K Granger tornado: https://youtu.be/hguqWlHwMng
Aaron Jayjack 360 video: https://youtu.be/oXlrxL1MBD8
KXAN Round Rock Coverage: https://youtu.be/Fsllm2aEMiY
Photojournalist Jordan Vonderhaar: https://bit.ly/36TVuzK
KXAN Salado Coverage: https://youtu.be/z7q2P4lYsqY

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Intro/Outro Music: NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X

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Cue the sad trumpet. In this episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast, the team shares a few examples of when storm chases did not go according to plan. From struggling to even get out the door, to unexpectedly ending up under water, to an ill-timed stomach bug - these are the stories of chases gone bad.

Editor's Note: In this episode we mentioned that there were no High Risk days this year. In fact, there were two: March 17, 25. We were thinking of 2020 where there were no High Risk days issued by the Storm Prediction Center. But 2021 feels like an extension of 2020, so there's that.

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Gabe's Hurricane Zeta Splashdown GIF

Jeremy's Podcast Recording Setup

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Intro/Outro Music: NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X

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On this episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast, Gabe shares the story behind one of his wildest solo chases ever. After a day of emotional ups and downs, Gabe finds himself within 50 yards of a multivortex tornado as it begins to move into the town of Selden, KS during the 2021 chase season. The team discusses the importance of having outside perspective during stressful moments, and of persistence when motivation is low.

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Selden, KS Tornado (Extended Cut): https://youtu.be/qkpcCaRX_fI

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Intro/Outro Music: NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X

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In this episode of the Tornado Trackers Podcast, legendary storm chaser Tim Marshall sits down with the team to share about his expansive career in storm chasing and damage assessment that included crossing paths with Dr. Ted Fujita, the creator of the original Fujita Scale. Tim provides amazing stories of chasing tornadoes, including almost being overrun by the Sulphur, OK wedge tornado in 2016. He also discusses details of the new and improved tornado damage scale that is currently in the works, and how new technology will be taken into consideration during the next generation rating system.

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Sulphur, OK pod deployment (video by Scott Peake): https://youtu.be/NFJsx2c6C-8
Tornado Video Classics III - Eldorado, KS Outbreak: https://youtu.be/2CRqvanNHnY?t=6068

Special thanks to Scott Peake @ScottPeakeWX for the use of his chase audio in this episode. And for our promo image of Tim Marshall deploying a pod in front of the Sulphur, OK wedge tornado.

Intro/Outro Music: NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X

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In this episode, the team discusses one of their wildest hurricane intercepts ever: the historic Category 5 Hurricane Michael. The storm, which made landfall in Panama City, FL with 160mph winds, intensified at a frightening speed, catching forecasters and residents off guard. Jeff and Gabe share what it was like to witness one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the United States as it ripped buildings apart directly in front of them, and how the full extent of the catastrophe only truly became clear when they drove into the worst part of the damage path. We'll also hear from special guest Matt Greene, a resident of Panama City Beach. Matt details the events from the vantage point of a local and how, through the chaos and heartbreak of the aftermath, he saw his community set aside differences to rally together.

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Extreme 4K Footage of Hurricane Michael: https://youtu.be/wSXvcveNSTQ
Category 5 Hurricane Michael (Extended Cut): https://youtu.be/y4N83C-aHxI

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Intro/Outro Music: NEW HORIZONS - Lesion X

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