Storm chaser video of New Ross twister

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Based on the damage just west of New Ross, the National Weather Service did confirm the severe storm in Montgomery County did produce a tornado.

David Siple and Josh Gimble are meteorology students at Purdue and trained storm spotters who tracked down the tornadic storm as it moved into Montgomery County.

They chased after the storm not only to view the spectacle of the twister, but for the more important reason of keeping the public safe.

"I looked at the radar, just checking it out, and I noticed a tornado warning in Illinois was headed right toward Indiana," Purdue Meteorology Student & Storm Spotter David Siple said. "I called up Josh and said hey there's a storm on the way we may have time to chase."

As storm spotters, Gimble and Siple help the National Weather know what's happening on the scene of a severe storm. This information is very beneficial in the warning process which is then relayed to the public allowing for quick severe weather safety actions to be taken.
    
Gimble said spotter reports give a more precise location to which areas are in imminent danger.

"They can alert the counties after this county so they can be prepared just in case the storm or the tornado comes right back down again," Purdue Meteorology Student & Storm Spotter Josh Gimble said.

"A wall cloud, we even noticed that," Siple said. "At that point, I called the National Weather Service and I told them that there's a wall cloud out here that could produce a tornado, but we're not for sure."

Although the National Weather Service will issue warnings based off of Doppler radar indicated rotation, it's the storm spotter reports that help identify exactly what cities are in the path of danger.

Gimble said it's all about keeping people safe from severe weather.

"The biggest concern we have is more the public," Gimble said. "We want to make sure the public is safe."

The dangerous storm was tornado warned during its track across the area because of radar indicated rotation and storm spotter reports, both of which make tornado warnings a very serious matter which is why they should never be taken lightly.

If a warning is issued, seek shelter immediately in the lowest level of a sturdy structure away from windows and doors.

Listen to a weather radio for the latest information on warnings for your area and always tune in to NewsChannel 18 for the latest on any severe weather situation.