Texas Tornado Puts Storm Chasers In A Twist

This stunning footage was captured on May 5, by tour guide Chad Cowan, close to the town of Ralls, in the western part of Texas.

Between April and June, the Lone Star State is home to some of the most severe and consistent storm weather in the United States.

The storm in the video produced three twisters in the space of a few hours – two of which came in quick succession.

Kansas native Chad, who has been interested in extreme weather since the age of 12, has worked for Tempest Tours for four years.

The 30-year-old takes paying customers, who want to experience the thrill of storm chasing, to the heart of the action.

He said: “It doesn't matter how many I've seen, each one feels just like the first time. 

“Each tornado is evocative in its own way - sometimes my first reaction when seeing a tornado form is a gut wrenching feeling because I know there is a town in its path and people's homes and lives are about to be destroyed. 

“Luckily,this time the tornadoes formed over an open field and my reaction was elation at being able to be witness to something so rare and humbling.

“There was also a real sense of relief as the clients in my group paid a lot of money and entrusted their safety with us to get them to this point where they could see a photogenic tornado.

“Enabling these people from all around the world to witness a tornado is incredibly rewarding in itself.”

Chad described the strange atmosphere within the group when the colossal storm finally appeared.

He said: “When these tornadoes touched down, everyone was dead quiet - the only noise that could be heard was camera shutters clicking and the occasional oh my god.

“Spending upwards of 12 hours in a van each day travelling from target area to target area, you get to know one another rather quickly. 

“The vans can be a bit rambunctious at times, but the hype of the day comes to a slow boil and we get into storm-mode.”