21-05-2025
Storm Chasers' Truck Takes Direct Hit from Alabama Tornado: Video
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A storm chaser has shared footage of a vehicle seemingly taking a direct hit as a tornado tore through parts of Alabama on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The Alabama storm followed a multi-day severe weather outbreak that caused widespread destruction across several states, including Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia. Over the weekend, the extreme weather claimed at least 27 lives, left dozens injured, and damaged thousands of buildings.
What To Know
Veteran storm chaser Reed Timmer, who runs a YouTube channel with 1.35 million subscribers, posted a video of the tornado late on Tuesday.
Check out this camera angle of the #tornado intercept with @localmanweather capturing the impact of the violent #tornado core. It spun the Dominator 3 while in park either 460 or 100 degrees. I thought we were airborne for a split second but the Dom3 did its job! @WillClay25… — Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) May 21, 2025
"Check out this camera angle of the tornado intercept with @localmanweather capturing the impact of the violent tornado core," Timmer said in a post sharing footage of the collision on X, formerly Twitter.
Timmer chases tornadoes in his specially adapted Dominator 3 vehicle, which can anchor itself to the ground.
He added in a tweet. "It spun the Dominator 3 while in park either 460 or 100 degrees. I thought we were airborne for a split second but the Dom3 did its job!
"@WillClay25 whipped up the air cannon with a direct hit on the first launch. Insane patience to wait until a half second before impact."
At 6:24 p.m. local time, forecasters detected a tornado on radar moving through western Madison County and eastern Limestone County, according to The Mirror.
The outlet reported an alert was broadcast to residents' phones which read: "You are in a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!"
It added, according to The Mirror: "Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible."
A tornado emergency was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Huntsville for cities including Huntsville, Madison and Athens, with the service warning residents in the affected area at the time: "SEEK SHELTER NOW!"
Tornado watches were also issued for parts of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
A tornado from a tornadic supercell approaches from the south, west of York Nebraska June 20, 2011.
A tornado from a tornadic supercell approaches from the south, west of York Nebraska June 20, People Are Saying
The NWS forecast office at Birmingham, Alabama, said on X on Tuesday: "SEVERE UPDATE: A line and perhaps clusters of strong thunderstorms will move in from the northwest late this afternoon as early as 5 PM, tracking southeast through the overnight hours."
The office said previously: "Tue & Tue Night Update: A level 3 out of 5 risk exists across N & NW portions of Central AL, with a lower risk as you go farther south & east. Hazards include tornadoes (greatest chance in risk levels 2 and 3 of 5), damaging winds up to 70mph, and large hail up to golf ball size."
What Happens Next
Tuesday was the final day of a multiday stretch of severe weather that impacted millions across the country, forecasters at AccuWeather said.
The outlet estimated that the total damage and economic loss from the outbreak could total between $9 and $11 billion.
