What is the purpose of having a livecam?

[Mark Sefried]

For everyone that is running a livecam while chasing let me ask you this... Why do you do this? I imagine that it is for the fame and glory? Today a chaser apparently running a live cam took a hit from a rain wrapped tornado. Hmmm, let's see how close we can get to the rain wrapped tornado while everyone watches me die. Sorry If I don't feel any remorse for someone that does that as I think that in some cases that having a live cam encourages a "few" people to get a little closer to the action than what they normally would. Having a livecam may also make someone with little experience attempt stormchasing just so they look cool to whomever they are trying to impress.

[Skip Talbot]

It is for the fame and glory. Others are trying to make money... same difference. I have started building my own website where people can watch me live. Its mainly just to share with friends and family who like to follow along, but as modest as that might seem its still for the fame and glory.

These live cams can be a real source of good for the chaser community. Its a good way to show folks how we are responsible, caring and considerate. It could be a whole new set of eyes for the NWS to use in issuing warnings such as Spotter Network is currently becoming. On the other hand, reckless behavior being brought to national attention as its broadcast live including laws being broken and dangerous stunts (and dangerous to others not just the idiot performing the stunt) could ruin it for us all.

Let's keep this in mind and be responsible. If you are going to be a jackass on your live cam... don't label yourself a storm chaser. Call yourself whatever... but don't ruin it for the rest of us.

[Tyler Allison]

I don't know why other people do it, but I know that I had NWS employees in the Chicago office watching my live feed pointed at a storm they were about to issue a TOR. Think about it...if you're the person who has to push the button would you rather rely on a random voice on the end of a phone (or an email?) or an actual look at the storm? I'd rather look at the storm myself.

I don't get paid for the work, nor am I good enough for fame and glory...so there has to be another reason....public good maybe? Not everyone is a scum bag.

[Chris Lott]

I think chasers have cams to give people a live shot of what they see, reports,etc. Yes, some chasers turn in footage for viewers, and some make dvd's with their footage. I don't see anyone trying to get close to a rain wrapped tornado on purpose-they all know the dangers. You are going to have local yahoo's out there all the time that think they know what they're doing-no matter what. Too many people on here get bent out of shape over bullcrap that I can't seem to understand, this time it's over a damn chase cam. Simple fix once again, if you don't like it, don't look at it.

[Paul Townsend]

Originally Posted by Mark Sefried

Today a chaser apparently running a live cam took a hit from a rain wrapped tornado. Hmmm, let's see how close we can get to the rain wrapped tornado while everyone watches me die. Sorry If I don't feel any remorse for someone that does that as I think that in some cases that having a live cam encourages a "few" people to get a little closer to the action than what they normally would.

In their defense, the Omaha radar they were using to monitor that storm was rendered inoperable by lightning, but they didn't realize it, so the 10 minutes or so their radar data was behind reality caused them to think they were safe when in fact they were not. And since the tornado was rain wrapped they couldn't use visual contact with the tornado to help them make a safe maneuver away from the tornado.

[Brett Adair]

Lots of chasers do it to improve verification of damage, help verify warnings, and help cover chase funds. I know I do it for all three reasons and I have been able to do it successfully. I agree with Tyler completely....someone always has to find something to ***** about. Kory and Kenny were in an unfortunate situation that any of us could get in one day, but they just so happened to have a camera. If you don't want to stream then don't, but don't be jealous of those who do it successfully.

[Ben Holcomb]

For your information, Kory and Kenny were together. We were unable to get them OUT of the path of that tornado. The road network in Iowa SUCKS!

The National Weather Service in Omaha was watching *ALL* of our feeds today! I can assure you they did NOT do this on purpose or for fame or glory. Talking to them on the phone after it happened they were about to cry, and so was I as a nowcaster.

And yes, we did not realize the OAX radar site had gone down. By the time I fired up another GRLevel3 and GR2AE it was TOO LATE. The cell tower next to my house is also apparently down, and either their cell connection in Iowa or mine here in Michigan dropped and we were unable to communicate. I got them back on the phone to hear them screaming and then to hear the tornado go by.

[Steve Miller TX]

My first reaction would be: "Are those chasers ok?"

[Gerrit Gulden]

Im sure there is more to it than fame and glory. Maybe a chaser decides to Stream live for Educational use by the viewer. Or maybe the chaser is streaming live to document to others and also give local residents an idea where the storm is. You'll notice there are tons of sites these days offering free live streams from Chasers and chaser teams. There are also more and more spotters hooking up a live cam to there house so people can see the weather outside. I do see the reason to question after a chaser was hit by a rainwrapped tornado but the livecam is the least of my concerns, my question would be directed at the chaser and not equipment used.

For those that spend the money to Stream Live while they are out chasing, Thanks. Its not everyday that we can sit at our desk and literally be hundreds of feet to miles away from a tornado on our screen. Be careful out there....

-gerrit

[Ben Holcomb]

We started this whole live streaming service to help out as a public service! I wish everyone understood how much this actually helps out the NWS. The guys at IWX invited me in last week to their office and couldn't say enough great things about our service. We've had so many offices call us and email us and thank us for our video. I can tell you we are NOT doing this for the fame and glory.