Tom Lynch

We want to open our arms to the European Market and so we add a multi international flavour to our breifing Tom

]After a very pleasant day by the lake loaded the BBQ stuff and went back to the motel for a swim footage for this can be seen elsewhere MY LAWYER HAS !!!!!, The nice manager of the Days Inn allowed us to set up the BBQ round the back of the pool area. We then partied for the evening , sausages, burgers, pork chops and minute steaks. Thanks to my assistant chef Rob. During the course of the evening we were treated to an old Irish form oif entertainment . John played his version of the Irish pipes. Tom

Having no chance for a chase today we loaded up with food and BBQ equipment and went to a local state park. It had a lake and in 1866 the cattle drives would rest there with their thousands of cattle to water them. I was reminded about a similar park in Oklahoma where I visited in 1980 . They had an Indian that had the best memory in the world for a dollar you could ask him any question. I waited in line and forgot the question I had planned to ask and so said the first thing that came into my head. Who scored the winning goal in the 1968 FA cup final. He said Jeff Astle scored the winning goal for WBA against Evertonthey won 1 - 0. I went on my way a bit miffed because I didnt know if he was right or not. Whilst on a chase in 2001 I happened to pass by the same park and our memory man was still there doing the same memory tricks only now it costs $5. Once again I waited in line but this time had a stonker of a question that I felt only I knew the answer to. I walked into the teepee a politely addressing him as would an Indian brave putting my hand up and saying "How" He said " a flying header in the third minute of extra time" Tom

Short video from me showing our location and the location of the storm cell that hit Moore We did see what looked to be a tornado on our cell out to our west. The lightning was a little fierce Tom

Well we aborted our chase and we 250miles west To Childress for some dryline action on Thursday We ate Mexican and Rob went for a work out in the gym. Tom

Warts and all Tom

Stu and I arrived south of Norman just after the cell had crossed the I 35 at one point it looked like we could have got to Norman before it. However for what technology we had on board we did pretty well and relied on team work. We stopped south to look at an area of rotation over the interstate and saw the wall cloud to our east. We had to juggle the sat nav which I had to unplug to plug in the laptop, we rotated the Mifi and then Stu's smartphone and I even dug out my old paper map of Oklahoma. I knew that we were possible not too far off the junction for highway 9 which Stu confirmed usung the GPS on his smart phone. We set off east along highway 9 with the knowledge that the raod was heading east and the cell north east. It was nice seeing the cell as a backdrop to the Storm Prediction Centre complex. Stu saw a report of a water spout at Thunderbird lake minutes before we passed the Thunder Lake park but had trees between us and the storm. We decided that if we wanted to get into the action we needed to find a north road. So Stu once again used his GPS to find a north option. We took the first opportunty possible and started to get caught up in the damage path and lucky not to get rammed by other vehicles. One cop car actuall had sustaned damage i think in the same way. A four way stop is bad enough but whenyou have 6 cop cars 5 fire trucks all giving you different instructions it can be a little risky just turning round. We did at that point get stopped from going north and so decided to head back south to highway 9 and go east a bit and take the next north option. This again was strewn with tornado debris and we once again got to a road blockage and had to chat with a member of the fire service. I told him we were chasing the storm and he asked if we were with the NWS and if we had ID I told him we were Netweather TV and so he reluctantly waved us by with a You are at your own Risk caution. It wasnt too long before we found that the road was blocked. There was a tree across the road and power cables close to the road. All around us was the scattered homes and belongings of local familes. At that point we decide that our only option was to continue east again on highway 9. My laptop had died ,Stue's smart phone was running out of power and then had no internet for a while. We looked at a couple of north options one being a dirt track but being sensible carried on the blacktop. We arrived in Shawnee and most places were shut because of the tornado. I figured if I could find a cafe that I could park outside and plug in my latop we could meet up with the rest of the team. We pulled into a Mcdonalds the manager said they would be open in 34 minutes so i asked the girl behind the counter if I could in anyway and plug my laptop in she agreed. I could then connect to the Wifi in the car and get a handle on what was happening and where the team were. The girl liked our accents and thought I was Scottish because I spoke differently to Stu so we had coffee and watched the carnage unfold on the TV in the macadees. They had to throw away and recook all their food. After a while on I 40 heading east Stu recieved a message say that we were booked in at the Guest Inn in Norman and so turned around and set off west. Our haste was short lived beacuse we hit two areas. A way east of Shawnee it looks like in order to escape the tornado some cars on the interstate actually tried to turn around and go east on the west bound side and there was cars dumped all around the hard shoulder. Some still have their hazzards flashing. We then hit the Shawnee junction and it was obvious that this is where the tornado actually crossed over the interstate. We could see major damage to buildings, trees and trucks . One of which had actually been blown off the overpass. We had to come off the I40 go around some areas of damage and back onto the interstate west of Shawnee. We set off for the Guest inn after about 50 minutes of road hold ups. All in all we had an interesting day and although we didnt have the correct gear properly in place to chase on a moderate day,we did well. We didnt get to see the tornadoes filmed by the team but unless one of the southern cells went east it was always going to be the case. They were always heading away from us. Whilst driving passed the SPC there was a lot going on above our heads but couldnt find a clear spot to stop and get a good view. Tom and Stu

Although we left 3 hours after the team we were still lucky enough to get some thing from the day. Didnt see a tornado ,as we were following in its tracks even passed the storm prediction Centre . roads were dangerous and every road we wanted to go down was either blocked by trees, down power lines or police, Tom

Understood We are on I40 at Shawnee. So if GPS is accurate you are perhaps 15 mins behind us

Yes I see where they are now

got blocked off by trees over the road and power cable down Tom

yes we have been down a lot of roads where damage has been pretty significant Tom

Where arew you Arron we are in Shawnee and are blocked off Tom

we are at lake thunderbird lol

we are on the south end of the Norman storm heading east on route 9

Think we may be just a bit far south. We are seeing lightning now. but the storm will go over I35 in next few minutes. We are still 20 odd miles south of Norman Stuart (on behalf of Tom)

We are on course to intercept Chickasha cell just north of Norman Bit of a problem that it's build up area so coming off I35 to get a good view spot will be difficult. Stuart (on Toms Account)

Into Oklahoma now. Is there action likely south of OK City on I35?

we are heading North on I35 - 15 miles north of Denton

I though said he was so tall I couldnt lose him tell him I am at the car rentals I will go back inside To

Ok chaps I have now got mobile internet and am cooking with gas - I have about 45 mins before Stue arrives so might graba power nap I will set off north after to team. Tom

After a long trek and a few winks we are ready to set off for a bonus chase into a Moderate Risk area Most guests are here and ready Tom

Arron did you get the message to pass onto Ian Tom

I have a feeling that it will be a quick turn around on Sunday with a little bit of/lot of stress Delete as nessary. I feel the I35 calling Oklahoma bound Tom

Is any one going to do the 72oz steak challenge??? Tom