Why the best part of storm chasing isn't the storms
I've been a meteorologist and storm chaser for years. Public interest in storm chasing has skyrocketed since last year's debut of 'Twisters' — but it's nothing like the movies, in which predictably located and dramatically shaped funnels perform dramatic dances for dazzled onlookers. In real life, chasing storms isn't a convenient choreography between the chaser and the clouds; it's a painstaking pursuit that, even for the best chasers, is endlessly frustrating.
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CBS News
31 minutes ago
- CBS News
Flash floods kill 3 in West Virginia, several people missing after inches of rain fell in 30 minutes
Flash flooding caused by torrential rains killed three people in northern West Virginia and rescue crews were searching for several missing people Sunday, while authorities were assessing damage to roads, bridges, natural gas lines and other infrastructure. Officials said 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within about half an hour on Saturday night. The unexpected deluge overwhelmed local waterways and infrastructure and submerged vehicles in small towns east of the Ohio River, including in Triadelphia and Valley Grove, CBS affiliate WTRF reported. "We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped," Lou Vargo, Ohio County's emergency management director, said at a news conference Sunday. "During this time, we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways, where we couldn't respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage." Vargo added: "It happened so quickly and so fast. … I've been doing this for 35 years. I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this." Authorities said vehicles were swept into swollen creeks, some people sought safety in trees and a mobile home caught fire. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey is expected to hold a news conference Sunday afternoon and provide additional updates, according to WTRF. Jim Blazier, the fire chief in Wheeling in the state's northern panhandle, said crews performed rescue operations into Sunday's early morning hours. He said first responders regrouped Sunday morning and were focused on an area from the Ohio state line across the Ohio River to Wheeling Creek. "We're searching the banks, we're searching submerged vehicles, any debris we find along the trail and so forth," Blazier said. "We're using drones, search dogs and swift water personnel, and we have teams organized that are searching sectors that we're trying to recover anybody that's missing." There were about 4,000 power outages in the county. Restoration efforts were hampered by natural gas leaks that have to be fixed first, officials said. Gov. Morrisey has declared a state of emergency in Ohio County. He said state police and other state officials were responding, and he directed the National Guard to provide any needed assistance. "Please keep this community in your prayers," Morrisey said in a statement Sunday. "More storms are expected in the region today. Please follow all directives from local and state emergency management officials and do not attempt to drive through flooded roads." The West Virginia rains followed heavy downpours in San Antonio on Thursday that killed 13 people. More than 7 inches of rain fell over several hours in the Texas city, causing fast-rising floodwaters to carry more than a dozen cars into a creek.
Motor 1
an hour ago
- Motor 1
‘I'm Absolutely Doing This:' Arizona Man Shares Little-Known Sunroof Trick to Stay Cool. Then He Slides It Open to Show Off
How can you beat the heat this summer? According to one driver, if you have a sunroof in your car, all you need is a roll of aluminum foil or a sunshade. TikTok user @ilovemegapixels shared a quick car hack that's catching attention online. 'A little tip for ya,' he said in a video, before sliding open his sunroof to reveal what looked like a foil sunshade tucked inside. The goal? Blocking out the sun and keeping your car from turning into an oven. 'Makes a HUGE difference,' he said in the text overlay of his clip, adding in the comments he's used the trick on multiple cars with great results. As of Saturday, the clip had racked up more than 253,900 views. Is This Legit? It appears to be—and it's not just sunroofs where foil can help block the sun. According to at least one woman on Facebook, the hack works for home windows too. Another blogger DIY-ed an insulated panel for his car's glass roof, similar to @ilovemegapixels. Living in Arizona, where summer temps can hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit, he said his homemade insulator made a dramatic difference. 'I basically put foil home insulation I had lying around from a project and a small ironing mat,' he wrote. 'You can't see the foil backing from the outside of the car. I just take it down when summer's over and use the factory fabric cover.' According to him, the results were clear: 'When I did a before and after with my infrared thermometer, it dropped the temp on the inside roof like 30 degrees. Just much more pleasant to drive in the summer. I'm personally not a fan of glass roofs.' How Does This Sunroof Foil Hack Work? Aluminum foil does reflect a significant amount of sunlight, which can help lower interior temperatures. Placing it over a sunroof can reduce heat buildup inside a car and slow down how much heat enters overall. That said, it's not as effective as a proper sunshade and may carry some risks—like theft or vandalism—especially if the windows are left slightly cracked. Another option, according to Garage Living , is a windshield sunshade. They're less discreet, often folding up in awkward accordion-style panels and featuring that unmistakable reflective foil finish. But they work. Some high-end shades even use heat-absorbing materials designed to block thermal and ultraviolet rays more efficiently. If you've got the budget— and your state allows it —tinted windows are also worth considering. A quality tint can block a good chunk of UV rays and help keep the cabin cooler. And if you don't want to spend anything, you can always crack the windows to let heat escape. Just know it comes with the obvious downside: Someone could break in. If you go this route, be smart about it. Park your car in visible, well-trafficked areas or near security cameras to lower the risk. But if you're looking to try something simple, cheap, and maybe even fun? Head to Amazon or Home Depot, grab some sturdy foil, and see if @ilovemegapixels's trick works for you. Viewers Applaud the Driver's Ingenuity Many drivers who watched @ilovemegapixels's video said they live in states that get brutally hot in the summer, and couldn't wait to try the hack themselves. One woman said, 'I live in Texas! I will try ANYTHING!!!!!!!!' 'Thank you! From, an Arizonian,' another added. 'Much appreciated - I'll try that,' a third chimed in. One commenter said they'd never considered using adhesive aluminum foil on their sunroof, but were eager to give it a shot: 'Will have to see if I can find one that will fit or cut to fit.' Of course, not everyone was convinced. 'Can cause glass to break,' one TikTok user warned. 'Be careful.' 'Wonder if that would explode the glass with all that reflective heat,' another said. 'Foam insulation is better.' To the skeptics, @ilovemegapixels stood firm. 'Been using it for years,' he replied to one. And to another, he said, 'All the glass on cars is tempered and treated for heat - it doesn't just explode. Been doing this on multiple cars for 10 years with no issue.' Motor1 has reached out to @ilovemegapixels via a TikTok comment. We'll update this article when we hear back. Now Trending Mechanic Says These Redesigned Lugnuts Are the 'Worst Thing' Automakers Have Done. Then He Shows Why 'Can't Unsee It:' Why Are Drivers Flipping Their Ford Logos Around? Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Flash flooding kills 3 in West Virginia, rescue teams searching for missing people
Flash flooding caused by torrential rains killed three people in northern West Virginia and rescue crews were searching for missing people Sunday, while authorities were assessing damage to roads, bridges, natural gas lines and other infrastructure. Officials said 2.5 to 4 inches (6 to 10 centimeters) of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within about a half hour on Saturday night. 'We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped,' Lou Vargo, Ohio County's emergency management director, said at a news conference Sunday. 'During this time we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways where we couldn't respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage.' Vargo added: 'It happened so quickly and so fast. … I've been doing this for 35 years. I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this.' Authorities said vehicles were swept into in swollen creeks, some people sought safety in trees and a mobile home caught fire. Jim Blazier, the fire chief in Wheeling in the state's northern panhandle, said crews performed rescue operations into Sunday's early morning hours. He said first responders regrouped Sunday morning and were focused on an area from the Ohio state line across the Ohio River to Wheeling Creek. 'We're searching the banks, we're searching submerged vehicles, any debris we find along the trail and so forth,' Blazier said. 'We're using drones, search dogs and swift water personnel, and we have teams organized that are searching sectors that we're trying to recover anybody that's missing.' There were about 4,000 power outages in the county. Restoration efforts were hampered by natural gas leaks that have to be fixed first, officials said. Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Ohio County. He said state police and other state officials were responding, and he directed the National Guard to provide any needed assistance. 'Please keep this community in your prayers,' Morrisey said in a statement Sunday. 'More storms are expected in the region today. Please follow all directives from local and state emergency management officials and do not attempt to drive through flooded roads.' The West Virginia rains followed heavy downpours in San Antonio on Thursday that killed 13 people. More than 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain fell over a span of hours in the Texas city, causing fast-rising floodwaters to carry more than a dozen cars into a creek.
