I like how they differentiate between "amateur" and "professional" storm chasers.
Amateurs = idiots.
Professionals = people who desperately need career counseling.
And the purported benefits of storm chasing? The only one I can see is providing real-time data to emergency services dispatchers regarding specific damage in the storm's path. And that service can be provided with the same results if the chasers back off a mile or two from the event. When the EMT's & firemen are at least 15 minutes away, there's no real advantage in having an extra 30 seconds of notification of the damage.
It's all about getting "the best footage".
Well, that's some of what I've been saying.
You don't need to be that close. Your overall point is true. Most were way too close, in search of "sick footage" and not any sort of public service.
Eyes are still needed on the storm. Storm spotters are very valuable. Radar doesn't show what is happening at the ground, or even through the bottom layer of the storm as you get away from the radar.
But still, consider that the NWS does NOT recommend their spotters be "mobile" or chase.
You can "chase" and help spot responsibly, but I believe by definition you are not doing it responsibly and are a hazard if you are not a trained spotter, relaying this information to the NWS and law enforcement.
And "trained spotter" still likely isn't enough to "chase," or at least chase closely. If you aren't a meteorologist, it is easy to get caught by something back building behind you, or quick/sudden turns.
And as seen yesterday, even people who know better and shouldn't have been nearly as surprised by a turn as they were, still nearly got themselves and others killed.
