Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A tornado approaches the outskirts of Spearman, Texas on May 31, 1990 as documented by videographer Lanny Field from a hotel parking lot. The tornado was also broadcast live from a greater distance away by KFDA Channel 10, along with simultaneously being recorded by portable FM/CW Doppler Radar from the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology.
Video © 1990 Lanny Field.
A tornado approaches the outskirts of Spearman, Texas on May 31, 1990 as documented by videographer Lanny Field from a hotel parking lot. The tornado was also broadcast live from a greater distance away by KFDA Channel 10, along with simultaneously being recorded by portable FM/CW Doppler Radar from the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology.
Video © 1990 Lanny Field.
![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)







![Tornado Rockets with Sterling Colgate, May 22, 1981
Sterling Colgate was a physicist with the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In the spring of 1981, Colgate attempted to launch instrumented rocket packets into the various stages of tornadoes to attempt to measure heat from electrical discharges that, in theory, aided in strengthening vortex intensity. One such instance and perhaps the most noteworthy transpired on May 22, 1981 near Alfalfa, Oklahoma. Very independent by nature, Colgate piloted the aircraft, operated [by remote] a sound Super 8mm film camera and launched the rockets himself. Due to severe turbulence around the mesocyclone, none of the rockets penetrated the vortex. Colgate made an emergency landing on a nearby road shortly after the film was taken, but was fortunately not injured. All attempts by Colgate to launch rockets by aircraft were discontinued after this event.
This segment on Sterling Colgate is from the 1992 production of Tornado Video Classics Vol. 1 by Environmental Films and illustrates the great difficulty of this attempted project.
For a ground view of the rocket launch by air, go to the :30 mark of this 16mm film by Dr. Erik Rasmussen, taken near Alfalfa, Oklahoma: https://youtu.be/FmEDpidG11k
Original films provided by Sterling Colgate to The Tornado Project, © 1992. Tornado Rockets with Sterling Colgate, May 22, 1981](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/afhKGEFyat4/mqdefault.jpg)

![Columbus, Nebraska Tornado Videos, June 23, 1998
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 1990s and early 2000s. 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 1990s. 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: https://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. Columbus, Nebraska Tornado Videos, June 23, 1998](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bCQ_C_uMUts/mqdefault.jpg)