Caters News Agency

Are you this brave? Fearless photographer stops in tornado to take a selfie

A daredevil who stopped in the middle of a storm to take a SELFIE said it made him feel alive.

PIC BY TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS - (PICTURED: Tyler Schmitt takes a risky selfie with a Tornado in Dodge City, Kansas) - A daredevil who stopped in the middle of a storm to take a SELFIE said it made him feel alive. Brave Tyler Schmitt,from Peoria, Arizona, didnt want to pass up the chance to snap the rare tornado, even though he knew it could kill him. Tyler, a landscape photographer, was out storm chasing in Dodge City, Kansas, earlier this month when he took these heart-stopping photos. Its not the first time Tyler has risked his life for the thrill of a storm, either. He was once just 75 yards away from one - less than the length of a football pitch. SEE CATERS COPY.

PIC BY TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS – Tyler Schmitt takes a risky selfie with a Tornado in Dodge City, Kansas.

Brave Tyler Schmitt, from Peoria, Arizona, didn’t want to pass up the chance to snap the rare tornado, even though he knew it could kill him.

Tyler, a landscape photographer, was out storm chasing in Dodge City, Kansas, earlier this month when he took these heart-stopping photos.

It’s not the first time Tyler has risked his life for the thrill of a storm, either.

He was once just 75 yards away from one – less than the length of a football pitch.
Tyler said: “When I chase tornadoes I feel alive, I feel connected.
“I feel humbled and small, and yet powerful beyond measure knowing that the storm I am witnessing is also present within myself.
“During the storm chase nothing else matters in my life but that present moment.
“It’s strictly survival, the most basic of all human instincts.
 “Nothing else makes me feel more alive.”
For Tyler, the real beauty of a tornado lies in his ability to bring people together in the wake of its destruction.
He said: “I have come to realise the most important thing these severe storms bring, and that is the power of community.
“I witness the first responders put themselves in harm’s way to help keep their communities safe.
“When everyone else goes down into their storm shelter, the first responders are right next to the tornadoes aiding to those in need.

“Even though a majority of the cities in tornado alley are small, they come together to help each other in a huge way.

“The ultimate danger in chasing tornadoes is death.
“Tornadoes are one of earths most destructive forces of nature, and people’s lives have been changed forever from the loss of a loved one as well as the loss of homes and businesses because of these destructive storms.
“When storm chasing, or even admiring the images of one these storms, it’s important to understand our responsibility in helping those affected.”
TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS - The funnel cloud of a tornado in Dodge City, Kansas.

TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS – The funnel cloud of a tornado in Dodge City, Kansas.

TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS - Brave Tyler Schmitt,from Peoria, Arizona, didnt want to pass up the chance to snap the rare tornado.

TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS – Brave Tyler Schmitt,from Peoria, Arizona, didnt want to pass up the chance to snap the rare tornado.

TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS - The funnel cloud of a tornado make the photographer feel alive in Dodge City, Kansas.

TYLER SCHMITT /CATERS NEWS – The funnel cloud of a tornado make the photographer feel alive in Dodge City, Kansas.

 

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