Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
On the evening of June 23, 1998, a supercell thunderstorm produced an awesome and at times terrifying tornado display through the countryside of Platte and Colfax County, Nebraska, specifically around the Columbus region. Several residents recorded views of this significant tornado on videotape, three of which are featured in this composite video produced and made available by a local Nebraska cable access channel.
The final video in the series, recorded by Andy Olmer, became known as the "crazy farmer" footage by various storm chasers and meteorologists who circulated VHS videotape copies by word of mouth trade in the late 1990's and early 2000's. A lone utterance by farmer Olmer: "Susan, get my pants" was forever cemented into tornado video history from this point on, and why not! This incredible vortex display as it approached the Olmer farmstead, along with its vortex breakdown, is one of the most spectacular ever documented on home video in the late 1990's. It was never clear if Olmer ever obtained the requested pants prior to seeking shelter.
National Geographic followed up with Andy Olmer years later in this separate 2005 piece: youtu.be/IUj0IzcN1vA?si=LpK9aAn6XqVyY8M4
Other aspects of the storm included softball or larger size hail falling to earth as the tornado approached along with fantastic supercell mesocyclone structure from other perspectives. Two farmhouses were destroyed with six others severely damaged. 17 injuries were attributed to the tornado along with F2-rated [original scale] property damage.
Video © 1998 to all noted videographers.
On the evening of June 23, 1998, a supercell thunderstorm produced an awesome and at times terrifying tornado display through the countryside of Platte and Colfax County, Nebraska, specifically around the Columbus region. Several residents recorded views of this significant tornado on videotape, three of which are featured in this composite video produced and made available by a local Nebraska cable access channel.
The final video in the series, recorded by Andy Olmer, became known as the "crazy farmer" footage by various storm chasers and meteorologists who circulated VHS videotape copies by word of mouth trade in the late 1990's and early 2000's. A lone utterance by farmer Olmer: "Susan, get my pants" was forever cemented into tornado video history from this point on, and why not! This incredible vortex display as it approached the Olmer farmstead, along with its vortex breakdown, is one of the most spectacular ever documented on home video in the late 1990's. It was never clear if Olmer ever obtained the requested pants prior to seeking shelter.
National Geographic followed up with Andy Olmer years later in this separate 2005 piece: youtu.be/IUj0IzcN1vA?si=LpK9aAn6XqVyY8M4
Other aspects of the storm included softball or larger size hail falling to earth as the tornado approached along with fantastic supercell mesocyclone structure from other perspectives. Two farmhouses were destroyed with six others severely damaged. 17 injuries were attributed to the tornado along with F2-rated [original scale] property damage.
Video © 1998 to all noted videographers.
![Tornado Alley [1997] The History Channel, Documentary](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dX4p5ATd6UA/mqdefault.jpg "Tornado Alley [1997] The History Channel, Documentary
Tornado Alley [1997] Part of the Wrath of God documentary series, this production features several historical United States tornado events that transpired in the 19th and 20th centuries with stories primarily focused around the March 18, 1925 tri-state tornado in southern Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Eyewitnesses and survivors recount that event in original interviews in one of the last broadcast productions to present such original stories. At times the program takes visual liberties with stock tornado video and photos that are completely unrelated to actual events, incorporated for dramatic effect. Produced by Towers Productions for The History Channel, Tornado Alley aired during the peak of a tornado program boom for cable and television networks in the later part of the 1990s and was eventually marketed by A&E Home Video. This is remastered from an original production videotape and presented in high definition.
Additional information on the March 18, 1925 tri-state tornado: https://www.weather.gov/pah/1925Tornado_ss
Video © 1996, 1997 Towers Productions, The History Channel, All Rights Reserved.")
