June 17, 2010 Freeborn County, Minnesota Tornados
by Benjamin Tillotson
Friday, June 18, 2010, 10:35am
Almost didn't chase this day as I had a lot of other things going on. But after looking at data that morning I really thought this day was looking to good to pass up. I'm very glad I went as this ended up being an incredible day...
This is the first tornado that we saw. It didn't last long and the wall cloud quickly dissipated. At the same time the cell to the south began to organize...
...and quickly produced a small tornado.
This storm basically went tornado crazy for the next 45 minutes.
It was a bit dark for handheld shots but the lighting was really good.
Things are starting to get fun.
Tornado just missed Kiester, MN to the north. We are on the north side of town. I heard later that trees were falling on the road in town so they closed the road going through Kiester. It's a good thing we didn't get stuck south of town.
Crazy action right over the road. BTW these are mostly taken at 10mm so this thing was a lot larger than it looks.
Another wall cloud forms to the east.
Blurry shot but it tells the story. :P
Time to get close now since we have a good road.
It really beefed up right over the road.
This is still at 10mm so you have to understand how huge this thing was.
Wow!
That collar cloud had some crazy motion. I pretty much just drove up to it at this point. Saw debris flying in the air high above our heads.
Incredible! (I was using that word a lot at this point)
The area smelled real strong like dirt after the tornado passed.
Inflow winds were sustained at at least 60mph. I had a really hard time opening the door to get out. Then when I got out of the car it was too windy to get still shots. So these are all taken out the winshield.
We ran into a bunch of debris after this went through and the roads out of Albert Lea, MN were blocked off so we headed home after this.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 11:00amKristinWhat an incredible grand finale to the season!
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 11:30amDebbie AlbersWOW!
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 1:19pm##;1The last tornado is so amazing that I'm left with a sickening sense of regret for not sending a video camera with you guys. I'm hoping you have another chase this good again sometime, and get some footage. :) The motion was incredible...
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 2:20pmAmyAMAZING, AWESOME, INCREDIBLE... and I wish I could have GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God's power is indescribable!
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 4:06pmJennyWow...that was amazing!!!! Good pictures! :)
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 4:29pmLinda Bamazing, incredible, indescribable, God's power, wow - all of the above and more - but feel so bad for those who have lost so much property and loved ones.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 5:36pmMichael MWow. That's just spectacular. Great shots!
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 6:05pmAddie ABSOLUTLY INCREDIBLE!!!
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 6:20pm##;41that was an amazing chace. Best ever.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 9:45pmDavid MWow! Good job! Amazing.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 11:44pmSarah Wow.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010, 11:47pmSarah that must have been really close.... 10mm is quite wide. Eeek.... you guys are a lot more brave than I am. haha
Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 9:41amDiane ShafferHow exciting I sure do miss that type of weather. Thanks for the great pictures. You guys stay safe.
Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 3:30pmBenjaminYeah, we were definitely closer than it looks.
Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 9:55pmRachelAMAZING!!! I still think you all are kind of crazy, though... :P Just kidding...it's probably fun.
Mon, Jun 21, 2010, 12:20pmAileenThis is soo cool!! Looks like so dangerous. Thank God ya'll safe. Great shots! Good job! God bless you!
Thu, Jun 24, 2010, 9:34am##;25The skies show forth God's power and His handiwork. May we love Him and fear Him rightly. Keep your eyes on the Lord and He will show you even mightier things than this. I appreciate you, Benjamin. Keep learning and the pictures will only get better. And greater things God will let you take photos of as you Glorify Him.
Mon, Jun 28, 2010, 10:14amSethOh my! Psalm 8 comes to mind here. "Oh Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!"
If I was superstitious, I would say that the tornadoes waited for my signal when I left for Michigan. (Two years ago the storm that hit Kearney was also during my visit to Michigan.) But, I know that God is in control and NOTHING I can do will foil His perfect plan. It is sad for those who lost possessions and perhaps loved ones throughout this disaster but God can provide them the comfort they need.
Besides, we had quite some adventures of our own of which I will be relating soon...
