As a source of fun and entertainment, some people collect stamps, autographs or baseball cards.  Then there are the ones who find reward in other ways.  Dangerous ways.

Meet Point Imaging output specialist, Terry Adams.  For the past three years, Terry has been part of an organization called Porter County Skywarn.  What does Terry do for fun?  He is a storm chaser. Better yet…rather than running for his life when a tornado hits, Terry and his buddies get in their cars and they drive straight for it. Seriously. Terry explains that it was his love of HAM radios that sparked his interest in storm chasing.

Now I’ve watched my share of Weather Channel storm chasing footage, but to hear it first hand from my coworker is another story.  I asked Terry what was the most hair lifting experience he’s ever had while storm chasing.  He says, “One time I was chasing a tornado while giving updates on the radio to my partners.  I remember looking out my window as I drove yelling “I don’t see it! I lost it! I don’t see it!”  ”Then in an instant, my car was lifted up and we began flying in circles. The only thing I could think of doing was to give an update on my radio. “I’m in it!  I’m in it,” Terry laughs as he recalls yelling and spinning.  He says his buddies still play the recording over the radio network every now and then.  He gets a good laugh out of it.  I get the chills.

I also asked Terry what advice he’d give to anyone interested in becoming a storm chaser.  He simple says, “Prepare for the worse.”  I couldn’t have put it any better.

Storm chasing isn’t just about fun and excitement.  Terry and his friends at Skywarn serve an important role in pre-warning the residents of Northwest Indiana of potential tornado touchdowns and severe thunderstorms.  Terry finds reward in being a service to the people of Porter County.