Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
There were a few "big" tornado days across the Southern Plains in Spring 2001, two specifically in late May. The first transpired in eastern Oklahoma on May 20 near the small town of Dustin. Topography, trees and the often HP supercell structure of the storms only provided views if one was close that day. On May 29 in the Texas panhandle; a large, long track tornado developed near White Deer and for many chasers was "the" chase day of the season.
Videography © 2001 David K. Hoadley, All Rights Reserved.
There were a few "big" tornado days across the Southern Plains in Spring 2001, two specifically in late May. The first transpired in eastern Oklahoma on May 20 near the small town of Dustin. Topography, trees and the often HP supercell structure of the storms only provided views if one was close that day. On May 29 in the Texas panhandle; a large, long track tornado developed near White Deer and for many chasers was "the" chase day of the season.
Videography © 2001 David K. Hoadley, All Rights Reserved.
![June 8, 1995: Project VORTEX Tornado Chase Day | Full Video
Project VORTEX [Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment] experienced a string of close tornado encounters in the first week of June 1995. One of the most memorable was the final day of field operations across the Eastern Texas Panhandle on June 8th. This is the full video from that day recorded from the perspectives of Probe Vehicle 3 driven by Dr. Matt Biddle, including up close and personal sequences near Allison, Texas that inspired the final scenes in the 1996 film, Twister.
Additional information on Project VORTEX 1994-1995: https://inside.nssl.noaa.gov/nsslnews/2016/02/vortex-1994-1995/
The video was provided by and made courtesy from Dr. Louis Wicker and the late Dr. Matt Biddle.
© 1995 All Rights Reserved to the respective videographers on VORTEX 1995. June 8, 1995: Project VORTEX Tornado Chase Day | Full Video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZIPLgDrF4Io/mqdefault.jpg)


![Target Tornado! Original September 1994 Broadcast, TWC
Target Tornado! [1994] chronicles several noteworthy significant tornado events from the 20th century, the evolution of tornado motion picture film and video and the first operational year for NOAAs Project VORTEX. The program incorporated many of the films, videos and decades of research collected, preserved and published by tornado historian Tom Grazulis; the first national broadcast television special to provide exposure to The Tornado Project. Tornado survivor stories include now rare interviews with survivors of the March 18, 1925 tri-state tornado, and a 20th anniversary follow up with survivors of the April 3, 1974 Xenia, Ohio tornado.
By far, this program was one of if not the best nationally broadcast feature on tornado history, historical tornado videos and research in the 1990s, nor did it rely on hyperbole or shock value to retain viewers. The special was also offered for sale on VHS home video in the 1990s.
In a similar vein to the 1985 PBS NOVA Tornado! documentary that is also available on this channel, the second half of this program showcases efforts by meteorologists and storm chasers during the rather lackluster season for Project VORTEX 1994. Regardless of the lack of tornadoes, the segment offered some enjoyable insight into the largest field operation for tornado research of the era.
Target Tornado was part of a series of tornado and severe weather themed programs produced by The Weather Channel that commenced in 1992 and concluded in 1996. Those included The Enemy Wind [1992], Storm Chaser: Warren Faidley [1992, 1996], Target Tornado [1994], The Chase [1995], Tornadoes 95 [1996], Five Great Weather Disasters [1996] and Tornado Chase 96 [1996]. The show also generated interest in the first national storm chaser conference sponsored and held by The Weather Channel in March 1995.
This is the original September 25, 1994 cable broadcast as recorded, complete with local forecasts from the Kalamazoo, Michigan region; commercials and a tropical weather segment that follows the show.
Target Tornado © 1994 The Weather Channel, All Rights Reserved. Target Tornado! Original September 1994 Broadcast, TWC](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_BYSOKU33xU/mqdefault.jpg)






