In the aftermath of the severe storms that ravaged Oklahoma last week, I guess it’s time I came out. Not as gay — heck, everyone knew that — but as a storm chaser. Actually, my partner has been chasing storms for more than 20 years, and after worrying about him out on the prairie, I decided to tag along. That took courage, since I’d been afraid of severe weather most of my life.
It all stemmed from that ‘Wizard of Oz’ tornado! I had nightmares for years after seeing the classic 1939 movie. It seemed so real. Apparently, it seemed real to early tornado researchers, who actually contacted MGM to find where that tornado had been filmed. The answer: on a sound stage in Culver City!
So how did this “friend of Dorothy” get hooked? Well, contrary to the movies and TV reality shows, storm chasing begins by an experienced forecaster, my partner, pouring over data and computer models. Once the rapid update models come out of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, he plots a map of where the most likely spots for the severe weather will occur. Then, if the probabilities are strong enough, and it is within a reasonable distance (up to 400 miles sometimes), we hit the road.
Often we are accompanied by fellow storm chasers to share the driving and data collecting duties. It’s most often a long drive out into the grasslands of Oklahoma or Kansas and getting little in the way of photographic evidence of tornadoes. Contrary to the movies, most chasing is just long drives, bad convenience store burritos and oftentimes disappointment.
About eight years ago we added a live-satellite radar to the car and additional communications gear and our luck has improved. The live radar data also helps keep us from getting in the path of the storms and actually has made chasing safer and more productive. This is the same kind of gear used by professional storm chasers and, though it is accurate, it does not guarantee safety.
The very experienced storm chaser Tim Samaras, his son and a chase partner were killed in the recent storms in El Reno, Okla., when a very large tornado moved in an unexpected direction. My partner was chasing that same storm last week but from a couple of miles farther away. Though this was a tragic accident, the truth is it is very rare. Personally, chasing has helped me overcome my fear of severe weather and given me some real insight into nature’s most amazing phenomenon.
My partner and I have seen a few dozen tornadoes together on our chases; though he racks up many more miles than me since my time is more limited. Additionally, it has been a great bonding experience. For many couples, a long drive through dense rain, hail and high winds might cause friction, but for us it has become a shared experience and we rarely have conflicts, except over where to grab lunch.
As far as other gay storm chasers, there are several I know. I have to wonder if they were inspired to take up the activity as a result of a childhood fascination stemming from that story of Dorothy Gale being swept away to Oz?
Hardy Haberman is a longtime local LGBT activist and board member for the Woodhull Freedom Alliance. His blog is at DungeonDiary.blogspot.com.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 7, 2013.
